Driven to Distraction? Driver interaction with in-vehicle technology Survey

Driven to Distraction? Driver interaction with in-vehicle technology Survey

Participant Information Sheet

Study Title: Driven to Distraction? Survey on driver’s experience of distraction.

Researcher:  Katie Parnell                                       Ethics number: 25219

Please read this information carefully before deciding to take part in this research. If you are happy to participate you will be asked to sign a consent form.

What is the research about?

This study forms part of a larger Engineering doctorate research project (EngD) looking at drivers’ interaction with in-vehicle technologies with the aim to mitigate the potential distractive effects of these devices. The project is funded by the EPSRC and industrial sponsor Jaguar Land Rover.

This study aims to gain an insight into why drivers engage with potentially distracting activities while driving through the use of an online survey.

Why have I been chosen?

You have volunteered to take part in this survey through advertisement at the University of Southampton, on social media platforms or by word of mouth. To take part in the study you are expected to have a full UK driving license.

What will happen to me if I take part?

Should you wish to take part in this experiment, you will be asked to complete an online survey at a time and place that is convenient to you. The survey will invite you to state your perceptions of driver distraction and clarify the technologies that you engage with while driving on a variety of road types. The online survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. You may save your responses to the questions and return to them at a later time, but it is advised that you allocate time to complete the survey when cannot be interrupted. There are no right or wrong answers. 

Are there any benefits in my taking part?

Participants will be contributing to important research on driver distraction from in-vehicle technologies.  It is important to gain information from drivers on their own perceptions and behaviours when driving in relation to different devices in order to inform future countermeasures and recommendations to industry.

Are there any risks involved?

You will be required to give your opinion and personal experiences of engaging in behaviours which may be deemed as illegal. However, all information disclosed during the survey will be confidential and, if you do not feel comfortable, you may withdraw from the study at any time by closing the browser. It is important that we obtain honest information from participants, this is a safe forum to do so.

Will my participation be confidential?

This study complies with University policy and has been ethically approved. You will not be asked to disclose your name or contact details within the survey and therefore the data will be anonymous. Only the researcher will have access to the data you provide. It will be kept on a password protected computer.

What happens if I change my mind?

You are free to withdraw from this study at anytime by exiting the web browser, with no consequences to your legal rights.

Points of contact:

In the unlikely case of concern or complaint, you are invited to contact the Research Governance Manager

Tel: 02380 595058

Email: rgoinfo@soton.ac.uk

If you have any further questions following after reading this or after the study has ended please contact the primary researcher:

Katie Parnell: Kp4g13@soton.ac.uk