New research finds distracted driving on the rise on I-95

Transurban-Fluor and AAA Mid-Atlantic have released the second annual report on distracted drivers on I-95 in Northern Virginia, which found that despite major construction, distracted driving is a growing problem on the heavily travelled corridor. The report, part of the Orange Cones, No Phones campaign focused on reducing distracted driving in the 95 Express Lanes construction zone, found that the number of frequent I-95 drivers likely to use their cell phone while driving has increased from 56 percent i
May 12, 2014 Read time: 3 mins
600 Transurban-Fluor and 4939 AAA Mid-Atlantic have released the second annual report on distracted drivers on I-95 in Northern Virginia, which found that despite major construction, distracted driving is a growing problem on the heavily travelled corridor.  The report, part of the Orange Cones, No Phones campaign focused on reducing distracted driving in the 95 Express Lanes construction zone, found that the number of frequent I-95 drivers likely to use their cell phone while driving has increased from 56 percent in 2013 to 62 percent in 2014.  

According to the report, based on a survey of 1,023 drivers who live in Northern Virginia and frequently travel the 95 Express Lanes project corridor, the number of distracted drivers on I-95 who have had a traffic incident or near-miss as a result of their behaviour has increased from 24 per cent in 2013 to 31 per cent in 2014.  Texting while driving is exceptionally dangerous – drivers who text while driving are three times more likely to experience a traffic incident or near miss versus non-texters.

“Distracted driving is dangerous under the best conditions – it is even more dangerous in a work zone,” said Aubrey Layne, Virginia Secretary of Transportation.  “Transportation safety and the safety of those who report to work each day to improve Virginia’s infrastructure is our top priority.  Drivers can make our roads significantly safer by taking one simple step – put down the phone while behind the wheel.”  

The report also found that work demands may increase distracted driving, with more than half (54 per cent) of all distracted drivers on I-95 saying they are at least occasionally responding to a work-related issue.

The 95 Express Lanes corridor is currently an active construction zone with approximately 1,500 people travelling to work in the 29-mile project corridor each day.  Despite major construction activities, just 18 per cent of I-95 drivers have specifically opted to not read or write texts or emails in the I-95 construction zone.  Only 11 per cent say that they no longer talk on a cell phone in the construction zone.

The 95 Express Lanes are on schedule to open in early 2015 and work to complete the project continues during the remainder of 2014, including installing and testing new overhead signs, tolling gantries and traffic management equipment.   Reversible like the HOV lanes today, the 95 Express Lanes will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  The 95 Express Lanes will use dynamic tolls to keep traffic flowing and provide a more predictable travel option on I-95 between Route 610 in Stafford County to just north of the Capital Beltway.  Drivers with three or more people in the vehicle will be able to travel Toll-free with an E-ZPass Flex set to HOV mode.  Other drivers will need an E-ZPass to pay a Toll for a faster, more reliable trip on I-95.
Urban Traffic Control Charging, Tolling & RUC

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • New driver study reveals Britain’s ten worst driving habits
    September 23, 2016
    According to a study by business driving expert, the Fuelcard Company, which questioned 1,000 drivers across the UK more than half of British drivers (52 per cent) have picked up some potentially dangerous driving habits. These include going too fast or too slow, texting while driving, using the phone or hands-free, eating or smoking at the wheel, driving too close to other vehicles, throwing rubbish out of the window, hogging the middle lane and checking phone notifications. Interestingly, more than
    Read More
  • Hard shoulder running aids uniform traffic flow and safer driving
    January 23, 2012
    David Crawford detects a market for European experience. Well-established now in at least three European countries, Hard Shoulder Running (HSR) on motorways is exciting growing interest in the US. A November 2010 Report to Congress by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), on the Efficient Use of Highway Capacity, notes the role of HSR in the European-style Active Traffic Management (ATM) strategies now being recommended for implementation in the US where, until recently, they were virtually unknown.
    Read More
  • Congestion pricing - no such thing as a free ride
    October 2, 2018
    The widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles is likely to increase congestion, many experts believe. But Wes Guckert of Traffic Group believes that tolling could provide the answer. While it is still hard to wrap your head around the idea of getting into a vehicle without a driver, the industry is now used to hearing, reading, participating in the advancement of autonomous vehicles (AVs). Those in the industry have heard about Uber delivering a shipment of Budweiser, or the convoy of driverless trucks
    Read More
  • Report analyses multiple ITS projects to highlight cost and benefits
    March 16, 2015
    Every year in America cost benefit analysis is carried out on dozens of ITS installations and pilot studies and the findings, along with the lessons learned, are entered into the Department of Transportation’s (USDOT’s) web-based ITS Knowledge Resources database. This database holds more than 1,600 reports and periodically the USDOT reviews the material on file to draw conclusions from this wider body of evidence. It has just published one such review ITS Benefits, Costs, and Lessons Learned: 2014 Update Re
    Read More

Highlighted Content