9. Modelling the Perception Towards In-Vehicle Distracted Driving Among Four-Wheeler Drivers in Kerala

Every year, a huge number of road traffic crashes occur in Kerala with enormous fatality and injury. The major reported reason for road traffic crashes is driver’s error. A common observed reason for this error, though less reported, is distraction caused to the driver. With the increasing accessibility of infotainment devices inside the vehicle, drivers are likely to be distracted from driving. The objective of this paper is to model the relationship between perception of four-wheeler drivers in Kerala towards distracting sources/activities and associated safety risk concern. The distracting sources and activities among four-wheeler drivers were identified through a literature review. A self-reported survey was conducted in Kerala (n = 1203) using a four-part questionnaire administered by random sampling approach in offline and online modes. It consisted of questions relating to exposure to driving distractions, perception towards distraction from different sources and activities, perceived risk of incidents due to distraction and suggestions for deriving engineering and administrative solutions for the improvement of safety. A confirmatory factor analysis followed by structural equation modelling was done to understand the direct and indirect effects on safety perception of drivers towards causes and consequences of in-vehicle distracted driving. The study highlights the need to concentrate on driver–vehicle interactions that cause in-vehicle distractions and safety incidents. Further, the study calls for focusing on scientific training methods and technological interventions that would address the issue of in-vehicle distraction.