Distracted Driving in the Utilities Industry Illuminated by DriveCam

SAN DIEGO--July 14, 2011: DriveCam is pleased to continue its Driving Insights Series with a look at distracted driving in the utilities industry. DriveCam has researched distractions in various industries, but as we look across our nationwide base of gas and electric utility clients, we noticed an interesting trend.

An important tool for utility drivers is the use of communication devices -- other than cell phones -- Nextel/chirp devices, CB radios, 2-way radios, walkie-talkies, etc. The key finding of our analysis shows drivers who were involved in a collision are nearly six times more likely to be regularly using these other communication devices compared to those who have not been involved in any collision.

Although handheld cell phones are still high on the list of distractions, it’s important that utility companies pay attention to the use of any handheld device that might cause distracted driving.

Key findings reveal that, when compared to drivers who have not had a collision, utility drivers involved in one or more collisions are:

• 5.70 times more likely to use other communication devices*
• 4.16 times more likely to eat and/or drink
• 4.00 times more likely to use a handheld cell
• 3.95 times more likely to be distracted by any type of identified distraction

*Other communication devices include: Nextel/chirp devices, CB Radio, 2-way radios/walkie-talkies, etc.

The study focused on the analysis of over 8,000 active drivers in the utilities industry between July 2009 and December 2010. The difference between collision and non-collision drivers’ conduct and condition was evaluated for this study in order to identify those with a statistically significant difference. Once they were identified, the probability of a collision was calculated given the number of times the distraction was observed.

DriveCam’s Video Event Recorder provides the unique ability to identify when a collision has occurred. DriveCam does not analyze collision events for legal reasons; however, extensive video event review of a driver’s prior non-collision poor driving behaviors allows DriveCam to better understand those behaviors that act as leading indicators of collisions. Identifying these behaviors provides safety managers a focused direction in coaching and training.

DriveCam’s Driving Insights is designed to provide insight for executives and managers throughout a variety of transportation industries. It is derived from DriveCam’s extensive database of driving events from over 3 billion driving miles -- the largest in the world. Driving Insights is released on a regular basis.

About DriveCam Inc.

As proven experts in the science of safe and efficient driving, DriveCam prevents collisions and reduces fuel costs by improving the way people drive. Our solution addresses the causes of poor driving by combining data and video analytics with real-time driver feedback and coaching, resulting in reductions in collision-related costs and fuel consumption in over 150,000 commercial vehicles. In addition, DriveCam has monitored and analyzed data from over 3 billion driving miles and holds the world's largest database of risky driving, which is continually used to improve proprietary analytics and deliver insights into transportation industry trends. DriveCam was recently recognized as #30 in The Wall Street Journal’s listing of Top 50 Venture-Backed Companies.