Driver secondary tasks in Germany: Using interviews to estimate prevalence

Secondary tasks while driving are frequently found in different types of studies from all over the world. For a profound understanding of secondary tasks’ impact on road safety it is essential to know in detail what kind of tasks drivers are doing in which situations. In contrast to costly observational studies, interviews may be a suitable access to these data if reporting biases are minimized. In 2009, 289 drivers were interviewed in face-to-face interviews on German motorway service areas as well as in the city of Braunschweig about their secondary task engagement in the last 30 min of driving. Five groups of drivers were examined: (1) truck drivers at the motorway (N = 90), (2) car drivers on private trips at the motorway (N = 71), (3) car drivers on business trips at the motorway (N = 29), (4) car drivers on private trips in town (N = 85), (5) car drivers on business trips in town (N = 12). The pattern and frequency of engagement in secondary tasks differed between these groups. Overall, about 80% of all drivers conducted one to three secondary tasks. Thus, secondary task engagement is a serious issue in Germany and accident studies are needed to estimate drivers’ risk.

► Face-to-face interviews on drivers’ secondary task engagement were conducted.
► Five driver groups were found; differing in characteristics of the driving situation.
► Pattern and frequency of engagement in secondary tasks differed between groups.
► Drivers are well able to report quite well about their tasks.
► Thus, using face-to-face interviews can be evaluated as a success.