National reported patterns of driver cellphone use

The aim of this study was to obtain detailed information on patterns of driver cellphone use, including how often drivers talk and text, the extent to which they use hands-free devices, and knowledge of and reaction to state cellphone laws. Telephone surveys were conducted with 1,219 drivers in the 48 contiguous US states and the District of Columbia, using random samples of landline and cellphone numbers. Most drivers reported talking on phones while driving, even though earlier surveys have found that most people think this behavior should be banned. Fewer drivers overall reported texting, but the frequency of texting was higher among young drivers. Laws banning hand-held phone use seem to discourage some drivers from talking on any type of phone and motivate some drivers to talk hands-free. Laws banning texting while driving have little effect on the reported frequency of texting while driving in any age group.

• Corporate Authors:

  Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

  Arlington, VA  United States 
• Authors:
  • Braitman, K A
  • McCartt, A T
• Publication Date: 2010-2

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 15p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Behavior; Cellular telephones; Drivers; Highway safety; Legislation; Surveys
• Uncontrolled Terms: Road safety (human factors)
• ATRI Terms: Driver behaviour; Legislation; Mobile phone; Road safety; Telephone survey
• ITRD Terms: 8122: USA
• Subject Areas: Law;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01382242
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 22 2012 1:08PM