Use of Smartphone and Crash Risk Among Cyclists

High percentages of cyclists admit using smartphone devices while cycling. Moreover, such use has been found to be associated with near crashes and crashes, representing a risk factor for cyclists. This study examines the relationship between such type of behaviors, comprising calling and manipulating the screen, and the frequency of near crashes and actual crashes among Italian cyclists. The authors administered an online survey measuring smartphone-specific violation, errors, near crash and crash to Italian cyclists (N = 298; age range: 19–72). The authors hypothesized that the relationship between smartphone use and near crashes would be explained by an increase in the number of errors committed, thus increasing the likelihood of being involved in near crashes. Moreover, the authors hypothesized that near crashes will predict actual crashes. Results of path analysis showed that smartphone-specific violations predicted crashes throughout their consecutive effects on errors and near crashes only in the subsample of men. These findings offer an explanation of how smartphone use contributes to incrementing the likelihood of getting involved in near crashes and actual crashes. The present study is the first in building a path model explaining how smartphone-specific violations lead to more near crashes among cyclists.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1080/19439962.2019.1591559
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/19439962
• Supplemental Notes:
  • © 2019 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC and The University of Tennessee.
• Authors:
  • De Angelis, Marco
  • Fraboni, Federico
  • Puchades, Víctor Marín
  • Prati, Gabriele
  • Pietrantoni, Luca
• Publication Date: 2020-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 178-193
• Serial:
  • Journal of Transportation Safety & Security
  • Volume: 12
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Taylor & Francis
  • ISSN: 1943-9962
  • EISSN: 1943-9970
  • Serial URL: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/utss20#.U2qTJPldWCm

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Crash causes; Crash risk forecasting; Cyclists; Distraction; Near crashes; Risk assessment; Smartphones
• Geographic Terms: Italy
• Subject Areas: Pedestrians and Bicyclists; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01730442
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 4 2020 3:53PM