Categories: Accident Analysis / Reconstruction, Human Factors, Transportation Billboards: A Hazard to Driving Safety - A Human Factors Perspective TASA ID: Billboards: A Hazard to Driving Safety - A Human Factors Perspective On Tuesday, May 17, 2011, at 2 p.m. ET, The TASA Group, Inc., in conjunction with Human Factors expert William Nelson, presented a free, one-hour, interactive webinar, Billboards: A Hazard to Driver Safety – A Human Factors Perspective, for all legal professionals.Over the past 10 years, there have been many significant changes in the Driver-Vehicle-Environment relationship that have resulted in a 9% reduction in vehicle crashes, but a 20% increase in crashes involving driver distraction on US highways. As roads have generally become safer, more vehicles than ever travel on US highways. Today’s vehicles have become more complex, with the introduction of new technology that has improved safety but also made it more difficult for drivers to maintain control of their vehicles.Drivers are also challenged more than ever with the availability of smart-phones, lightweight laptops, book readers, video displays, GPS, radar detectors, graphic displays, etc. In addition, there are external distractions such as billboards of many different sizes and configurations, some using new technology that bombards drivers with ads and information.When crashes do occur, how can a human factors expert assist with identifying how an external distraction such as a billboard contributed to the collision, what errors have occurred and who is responsible for the decisions that resulted in those errors? This webinar will help to remove some confusion about billboards, clarify what is really occurring on US highways, and explain the possible effects these changes may have for attorneys who try to sort it all out.During the program, our presenter covered the following topics: The 3 categories and types of driver distractionsThe truth about multi-taskingThe evolution of billboardsHow billboards compare to other types of driver distractionUnique features of billboards as a driver distractionThe unintended consequences of new technologyHuman factors elements of driver distraction and billboardsThe roles of government and industry in regulating billboards About the ExpertWilliam Nelson has over 30 years of experience in ergonomics, biomechanics, and human factors principles. Mr. Nelson’s expertise and areas of specialization include product liability, personal injury, premises liability, and accident reconstruction. He has been directly involved with the commercialization of emerging technologies such as holography, lasers, acoustic reflectometry, and electronics. Of special interest to Mr. Nelson are the unintended consequences from the use of emerging technologies in today’s multicultural society. Of particular interest is the emerging research in the areas of driver distraction, sports injuries, and medical errors, and how to help prevent injuries. Mr. Nelson has been a presenter at national and international conferences. He has over 18 years of litigation support experience as an expert witness throughout the U.S. in municipal, state, and federal court, as well as experience with the Daubert hearing process. Previous Article How to Identify Suspicious Documents and Prepare for Handwriting Examination Next Article How to Prepare Your Expert Witness for Deposition Print