Defining the relationship between behavioural adaptation and driver distraction

Driver distraction has been the subject of intense research and media attention over the past decade, in large part due to drivers? increased use of in-vehicle and portable devices coupled with a number of high-profile road crashes in which such devices have been judged to be the contributing factors (Regan et al., 2009). Although many definitions exist, driver distraction is conceptualised as ?a diversion of attention away from activities critical for safe driving toward a competing activity? (Lee et al., 2009; p. 34). Driver distraction is just one of the several psychological processes that may result in ?driver inattention?, which has been defined as ?. . . insufficient or no attention to activities critical for safe driving? (Regan et al., 2011).