Using mobile phone while driving: distinct risky behavior or a symptom of broader syndrome?

Abstract

Objective. Study aimed to evaluate relationships between drivers’ phone use while driving, attitudes towards safety of using phone and other forms of risky driving behavior. Methods. 122 drivers (52.5% males, aged 30-59) answered questions about their attitudes towards phone use while driving and actual phone use behavior, and completed Driver Behavior Questionnaire (Reason et al., 1990). Results. Drivers who use phone while driving reported more fines for speed and other traffic rules’ violations during past three years. They also reported higher casual driving speed in general. Drivers who had or nearly had a car accident while talking on phone also reported higher accident rates in general, and more frequent drunk driving. Regression analysis revealed that positive attitudes towards phone use while driving remained related to intentional rule violations when age, gender and driving experience were taken into account. Attitudes and actual use of phone while driving weren’t related to unintentional driving lapses. Conclusion. Results support the idea that phone use while driving represents a form of intentional risky behavior and is closely related to other forms of risky driving.