Co-sponsored by the Federation, the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society and the American Psychological Association.

Left to Right: Briefing Speakers Drs. Paula Sind-Prunier, John D. Lee, Donald L. Fisher, Wendy A. Rogers, and Thomas A. Dingus

On November 13, 2007, the Federation, along with the Human Factor and Ergonomics Society and the American Psychological Association (APA), hosted a Congressional Science Briefing on Capitol Hill. The briefing addressed the current status and future progress of human factors issues in driver and highway safety. 

Highway crashes resulted in nearly 43,000 fatalities and more than 2.5 million injuries last year alone. In fact driving fatalities are the most common cause of death for individuals between the ages of 4 and 34. However, one of the most often cited statistics regarding transportation safety, is the finding that anywhere from 70 to 90% of all crashes could be prevented.

Human factors science has much to contribute to increasing driver safety through better vehicle design, signage, training, and overall integration of the driver into the vehicle/highway system.  Improving our understanding of the factors that contribute to crashes holds the greatest potential for reducing injuries and fatalities on the highways. 

Emerging technologies have the potential to save thousands of lives every year – but only if they are designed with consideration for human capabilities and limitations.  As technological innovations create new opportunities for aiding drivers, research is needed to evaluate the impact of these technologies on drivers’ behavior, especially as it relates to crash risk. Similarly, research to better understand the underlying causes of crashes would be instrumental in crafting educational initiatives, technological interventions, and other measures to influence driver behavior and reduce crash risk. 

Paula Sind-Prunier, National Transportation Safety Board, started the event by offering a brief overview of the positive influence human factors science can have on understanding driver and highway safety and reducing highway crashes and fatalities. Thomas A. Dingus, Virginia Transportation Institute, spoke to the impact of driver performance and behavior on driving safety, including driver drowsiness and inattention. John D. Lee, University of Iowa, discussed driver distraction caused by technology and ways to reduce such distractions. Donald L. Fisher, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, offered insight into the importance of driver training and newly-licensed drivers. Wendy A. Rogers, Georgia Institute of Technology, served as moderator.

The audience was comprised of staff from Congressional offices, including the House Committee on Highway and Infrastructure and the Senate Commerce Committee, Senators John McCain (AZ), Pat Roberts (KS), John Warner (VA), Jon Kyl (AZ), Chuck Grassley (IA), and Congressmen/women Jerry Costello (IL), Diana DeGette (CO), Jerry Moran (KS), Steve Pearce (NM), Eleanor Holmes-Norton (DC), Steven LaTourette (OH), Jim Moran (VA), Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA), and Mike Turner (OH). Also attending were representatives from the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Government Accountability Office, Federal Highway Administration, National Transportation Safety Board, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and others. This group provided for a lively question and answer period, after the presentations.   

Briefing Speakers pose with sign, identifying the event.

Abstracts: Click here to view the abstracts for this event.

Agenda: Click here to view the agenda for this event.

Speaker Bios: Click here to view speaker bios for this event.

Talk Summaries:
The Impact of Driver Performance and Behavior on Vehicular and Crash Risk
Thomas A. Dingus
Technology and Driver Distraction
John D. Lee
Newly Licensed Driver Crashes: Causes and Remediation
Donald L. Fisher
Driver Safety through Human Factors Science and Practice
Paula Sind-Prunier
Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Overview

Power Point Presentations:
-- John D. Lee 
-- Donald L. Fisher
-- Paula Sind-Prunier
-- Wendy Rogers

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