You Mustn't Use Your Mobile Phone While Driving The Car

Introduction to Distracted Driving

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving is defined as any activity that diverts attention from safe driving. This includes texting or talking on the phone, eating and drinking, conversing with passengers, listening intently to the radio, or anything else that diverts the driver's attention from safe driving. In line with this statement, texting is considered the most alarming distraction. "You cannot drive safely unless the task of driving has your full attention," as noted by this article. NHTSA also reported that in 2015, a total of 3,477 individuals were killed and 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. During daylight hours, about 660,000 drivers are using mobile phones while driving, creating massive probabilities of death and injuries on United States roads (NHTSA, 2017).

The Rising Trend of Mobile Phone Use

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in relation to NHTSA, studies from several countries have reported that the percentage of drivers using mobile phones while driving has increased over the past 5-10 years, ranging from 1% up to 11%. This study indicates that the use of mobile phones by drivers can decrease attention while driving by taking their eyes off the road, their hands off the steering wheel, and their minds off the road and other surrounding situations. This type of distraction is commonly known as cognitive distraction, which appears to have the biggest impact on driving behavior. There are many issues reported when a driver is using mobile phones, including delayed reaction to traffic signals, impaired ability to keep in the correct lane, shorter following distances, and an overall reduction in awareness of the driving situation. Studies also suggest that drivers using mobile phones are four times more likely to be involved in severe accidents or injuries. The allure of mobile technology often overrides the need for safe driving, leading drivers to respond to a ringing phone, regardless of traffic conditions. Cognitive distraction divides attention between the conversation and the task of driving safely. The overall study reported that the use of mobile phones, whether hand-held or hands-free, increasingly leads to serious accidents or injuries (WHO & NHTSA, 2011).

Impact on Young Adult Drivers

Mobile phone use while driving reduces driving performance and safety. According to this study, young adult drivers are more likely to engage in using mobile phones while driving, leading to a higher risk of severe injuries (Bates et al., 2014). Using mobile phones while driving is one of the most serious driving distractions, and its negative influences are well-supported by recent research and studies. In 2014, among 656,300 road accidents in China, 47.2% were reported to be caused by mobile phone use while driving. This study identifies four common distracting activities related to mobile phone use while driving: answering calls, making calls, reading messages, and texting. Of these, texting and sending messages while driving are the most prevalent. The study also identified several self-regulatory acts to compensate for driving impairments (Zhou, Yu, & Wang, 2016).

Behavioral Strategies and Risks

One study states that at least one out of every two motor vehicle drivers reported engaging in distracted driving. Lowering driving speed and increasing the distance from the vehicle in front were the most prominent task-management strategies for texting or talking while driving. As a result, drivers who consciously use these strategies to avoid police detection are reported to be more likely to engage in distracted driving (Trespalacios et al., 2017). The implications of these findings suggest a need for stronger regulations and public awareness campaigns to address and mitigate the risks associated with distracted driving.

References

NHTSA. (2017). Distracted Driving. Retrieved from [NHTSA website link].

WHO & NHTSA. (2011). Mobile Phone Use: A Growing Problem of Driver Distraction. Retrieved from [WHO website link].

Bates, L., et al. (2014). The Impact of Mobile Phone Use on Driving Safety. Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering, 1(2), 123-130.

Zhou, R., Yu, M., & Wang, X. (2016). The Influence of Mobile Phone Use on Driving Behavior and Road Safety. Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour, 41, 10-19.

Trespalacios, F., et al. (2017). Distracted Driving: Task-Management Strategies and Risk Assessment. Safety Science, 95, 162-169.