Recording and Evaluation of Motorcyclists’ Distraction of Attention in Urban Areas

Over the last years, distracted driving constitutes a considerably increasing road safety problem with disastrous results and it possesses a leading position among the accidents causes. The present study deals with motorcycle users’ distraction due to out of the vehicle factors. Considering exterior factors as the most significant, we can group them in four categories: built roadway, situational entities, the natural environment, and the built environment. All these contribute to the setup of a very dangerous environment by increasing driver’s distraction and inattention. This research is based on a medium scale experimental procedure which took place in urban areas in Greece. The distraction of the motorcyclist’ attention is evaluated via a continuous recording of his gaze which acts as the main indicator regarding driver’s performance. The main objective of this paper is to find out and evaluate the main factors of distraction of motorcyclists’ attention in urban road segments and intersections. The results of this type of research procedures are very useful as a tool to encourage the adaptation of more precise regulations with regard to the road infrastructure, the placement of roadside elements, etc.