The Prevalence of Mobile Phone Use among Motorcyclists in Three Mexican Cities

This article reports on a study undertaken to quantify the prevalence of mobile phone use among motorcyclists in 3 Mexican cities and to identify associated factors. Two rounds of roadside observations were conducted in Guadalajara-Zapopan, León, and Cuernavaca from December 2011 to May 2012. Observation sites were selected randomly and all motorcyclists circulating at those sites were recorded. Motorcyclists observed talking into a phone (either handheld or hands-free) or texting were recorded as using a mobile phone while driving. A total of 4244 motorcyclists were observed. The overall prevalence of mobile phone use was 0.64 percent (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.42–0.92); it was highest in Guadalajara-Zapopan (1.03%; 95% CI: 0.61–1.63) and among motorcyclists not using a helmet (1.45% versus 0.4%; P = .000) and those riding on 1-lane roads (1.6% versus 0.8% on 2-lane roads and 0.5% in 3- to 5-lane roads; P = .046). The authors contend that this is the first study that reports the prevalence of mobile phone use while driving among motorcyclists. The observed prevalence is higher than the prevalence stated in a previous report from China on electric bicycle riders. This risk factor should be monitored in the future given the growing popularity of motorcycles and the availability of mobile devices. Current legislation should be enforced to avoid potential injuries and deaths attributable to this risk factor.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1080/15389588.2013.802776
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/49192340
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission of Taylor & Francis.
• Authors:
  • Pérez-Núñez, Ricardo
  • Hidalgo-Solórzano, Elisa
  • Vera-López, Juan Daniel
  • Lunnen, Jeffrey C
  • Chandran, Aruna
  • Híjar, Martha
  • Hyder, Adnan A
• Publication Date: 2014-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 148-150
• Serial:
  • Traffic Injury Prevention
  • Volume: 15
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Taylor & Francis
  • ISSN: 1538-9588
  • Serial URL: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals/titles/15389588.html

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cellular telephones; Distraction; High risk drivers; Highway safety; Mobile telephones; Motorcycle helmets; Motorcyclists; Risk assessment; Text messaging; Urban areas
• Geographic Terms: Cuernavaca (Mexico); Guadalajara-Zapopan (Mexico); Leon (Mexico); Mexico
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01526991
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 29 2014 4:47PM