Gotta say, I'm not impressed. They're counting any headphones or buds, no consideration of whether they are set so people can hear. Also counting cell phones on handlebars as distracted. I use my cell phone as a gps, speedometer, etc, and it sits in a bag on the handlebar. A phone set up in a car in that manner would not be considered distracted driving. They're also counting holding anything in a hand.
Conspicuously missing from this study is the slightest evidence that any of these behaviors actually increase the likelihood of accident, only contains statements that they "could" or "might".
Frankly, this is really poor. There's no meaningful interpretation of the data.
ETA--I realized after I wrote the above that if they happened to observe you drinking from a water bottle, that would count as distracted riding. Sorry, but that's just absurd. I hope this garbage study doesn't gain traction with any policy makers.
Last edited by livedarklions; 07-17-21 at 07:16 PM.