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Viewing cable 10COPENHAGEN84, DEMARCHE ON DISTRACTED DRIVING: DANISH RESPONSE

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Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
10COPENHAGEN84 2010-02-12 07:27 2011-08-30 01:44 UNCLASSIFIED Embassy Copenhagen
VZCZCXRO1980
RR RUEHAST RUEHDH RUEHHM RUEHLN RUEHMA RUEHPB RUEHPOD RUEHSL RUEHTRO
DE RUEHCP #0084 0430727
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 120727Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5494
INFO RUEHZN/ENVIRONMENT SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS COPENHAGEN 000084 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPT FOR OES/S Nancy Carter-Foster 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ECON SOCI UNDP UNGA DK
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON DISTRACTED DRIVING:  DANISH RESPONSE 
 
REF: A. STATE 6703 
 B. 02/11/10 E-mail Gregersen to Carter-Foster 
 
1.  On Feb 2, Embassy ESTH specialist shared ref A points on 
distracted driving with Joen Kellberg, Administrator, Department of 
Roads, Ministry of Transport.  Kellberg thanked Post for providing 
this information.  He added that Denmark has campaigned and will 
continue to campaign against distracted driving, and that there is 
ongoing research addressing this issue.  He took on the task to 
provide Post with additional information about Denmark's laws, 
campaigns and traffic data after consultations with colleagues from 
other ministries. 
 
2.  On February 11 Kellberg reported his findings to Emb ESTH 
specialist.  Overall, distracted driving is not allowed under the 
Danish Traffic Ordinance.  The law requires all drivers (and riders 
of bicycles or horses) to be considerate and adequately alert and 
focused at all times.  Specifically on the use of cell phones, the 
Ministry of Justice informed Post that according to the Traffic 
Ordinance, no driver (or rider) of any vehicle is allowed to use a 
handheld cell phone.  Notably, although it is strongly discouraged, 
it is not forbidden to use a device (phone) for communicating while 
driving, as long as the communication does not require handling. 
 
3.  Kellberg shared links to statistical data on traffic accidents 
in Denmark.  Unfortunately, the overall Danish statistics are of 
limited value when investigating how distractions are related to 
accidents.  Because authorities need a court order in each separate 
case, Denmark has no systematic registration of the use of cell 
phones in relation to accidents.  It is therefore reasonable to 
suspect a significant under-reporting of accidents caused by driver 
distractions including the use of cell phones. 
 
4.  An in-depth study was released by the Danish Road Traffic 
Accident Investigation Board in 2009. The study showed that of 207 
accidents investigated, 50% could be related to a lack of awareness 
while driving.  The Police reports that the number of drivers fined 
for the use of cell phones while driving rose 40 percent from 2008 
to 2009 (from 21,700 to 30,000).  In 2009, 95 percent of Danes aged 
16-74 had a cell phone. Of these, 89 percent had sent a text message 
within the last three months.  At the end of June 2009, authorities 
reported that the 5.5 million Danes had 6.9 million active cell 
phones.  In the first half of 2009, a total of 6.5 billion text 
messages were sent. On average, this corresponds to every Dane 
sending more than 6 text messages per day. 
 
5.  In the 1990s Danish Authorities conducted two nationwide 
campaigns addressing the use of cell phones while driving.  The 1996 
campaign warned the public against talking on the phone while 
driving.  The second campaign in 1998 introduced the ban on the use 
of handheld cell phones while driving.  In 2010, the Danish Road 
Agency will run a campaign against lack of awareness and distracted 
driving. 
 
6.  On February 11, the traffic research unit at the Danish 
Technical University (DTU) launched a report on the degree of 
distraction associated with a wide range of driving distractions. 
The report ranks the distractions by how seriously they are 
compromising road safety.  One main conclusion is that conversation 
with passengers, in particular displeased children in the back seat, 
constitutes a far more serious threat to road safety than any other 
category of distraction, including the use of cell phones.  One 
sixth of accidents investigated were caused by in-vehicle 
communication.  The handling of dogs or babies increases the risk of 
having an accident nine-fold.  The second most dangerous driving 
distraction was found to be handling of the car stereo; third: using 
a cell phone; fourth: adjusting vehicle air-conditioner/heater; 
fifth: eating or drinking while driving. 
 
7.  Specifically on texting while driving, the DTU tested 24 
individuals in a car simulator.  This part of the research indicates 
that the distraction of the sight and motor senses related to 
texting caused wobbling and difficulties staying in the correct 
lane.  When talking with passengers, braking capability was 
compromised. 
 
8.  Minister of Justice Brian Mikkelsen announced on January 8 that 
he will read the DTU report carefully before deciding whether or not 
there is a need for tougher sanctions against the use of handheld 
cell phones while driving. 
 
FULTON