Driver Distraction in Public Transport

There is converging evidence that driver distraction is a contributing factor in car crashes, in Australia
and overseas. Surprisingly, no known previous research has attempted to identify and assess the
potentially distracting activities undertaken by the drivers of public passenger vehicles. This paper
describes research undertaken on this issue. The research was partitioned into three phases: an
analysis of the functions and tasks currently undertaken by public passenger vehicle drivers; the
identification of actual and potential sources of driver distraction; and the assessment of potential risk
deriving from distraction. This paper describes the research activities conducted during these phases
and the outcomes of these activities.