Cell phone users, reported crash risk, unsafe driving behaviors and dispositions: a survey of motorists in Maryland. J Safety Res 2007;38(6):683-8
Date
12/07/2007Pubmed ID
18054600DOI
10.1016/j.jsr.2007.09.006Scopus ID
2-s2.0-36849035549 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 52 CitationsAbstract
INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this investigation was to identify risky driving behaviors and dispositions that distinguish drivers who use a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle from non-cell phone using drivers.
METHOD: Annual telephone surveys were used to identify drivers who reported using a cell phone while driving in the last month (n=1803) and were compared to those who said they did not use cell phones while driving (n=1578).
RESULTS: Cell phone using drivers were more likely to report driving while drowsy, going 20 mph over the speed limit, driving aggressively, running a stop sign or red light, and driving after having had several drinks. They were also more likely to have had a prior history of citation and crash involvement than non-cell phone using drivers. Cell phone using drivers also reported they were less careful and more in a hurry when they drive than non-cell phone using drivers.
CONCLUSION: Cell phone using drivers report engaging in many behaviors that place them at risk for a traffic crash, independent of the specific driving impairments that cell phone usage may produce. Strategies that combine coordinated and sustained enforcement activities along with widespread public awareness campaigns hold promise as effective countermeasures for these drivers, who resemble aggressive drivers in many respects.
Author List
Beck KH, Yan F, Wang MQMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Accidents, TrafficAdolescent
Adult
Age Distribution
Aged
Automobile Driving
Cell Phone
Female
Health Surveys
Humans
Linear Models
Male
Maryland
Middle Aged
Risk-Taking
Sex Distribution
