Gemma Read

Distracted driving poses a global road safety threat, prompting the need for a comprehensive approach to mitigation strategies. This research employed a systems thinking approach to explore stakeholders’ perspectives on how driver distraction can be effectively prevented and managed.This mixed method study comprised two stages: (1) an online survey to identify the key stakeholders with the highest level of control over managing driver distraction in Australia, and (2) a requirements analysis to identify key stakeholders’ roles and responsibilities in managing driver distraction, their perceptions regarding the barriers and facilitators for effective management of driver distraction, and their specific requirements for addressing driver distraction issue.The online survey took approximately 25 minutes to complete. The requirements analysis included semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders via videoconference for approximately 60 minutes. Data were interpreted inductively using thematic analysis.Twenty-three participants completed the online survey, identifying 12 key stakeholder groups for road system design and construction, and 11 for road transport system operations. Twenty-two stakeholders identified seven categories of requirements for effectively managing driver distraction, including: (1) policy and planning, (2) regulation and compliance, (3) education and awareness, (4) data collection and analysis, (5) technology and innovation, (6) funding and resource, and (7) collaboration and engagement.The findings highlighted the complex, interdependent efforts across sectors to manage driver distraction, emphasising the need for targeted interventions and collaboration. Future efforts should prioritise legislative improvements, educational strategies, technological solutions, stakeholder collaboration, and better data access.