Counting Blue(tooth) Cars: Assessing Cellphone Use Among Vehicle Drivers in the Midwestern USA

Abstract

Mobile cell phones are integral to social fabric of the contemporary United States and other technologically advanced societies. There is considerable research on the psychology and behavior of cell phone use, though most of the scientific literature is based on survey studies and experience sampling applications. Cell phone use while driving increases the risk of automobile accidents. Survey responses regarding controversial and illegal behaviors are often biased by socially-desirable responding. Precise data on population usage patterns are typically proprietary. Naturalistic observations may provide unique information that complements findings from self-report survey methods and address research questions outside the proper scope of surveys and topics on which socially-desirably responding may occur. We examined cell phone use among drivers (N = 2538) in a Midwestern USA college town. In the study setting , texting while driving is illegal, whereas both hands-free (e.g., Bluetooth-enabled) and phone-inhand calls are permitted. However, drivers cited for traffic violations may also be charged with careless driving due to cell phone use. Overall, 23% of drivers were observed using their phones; 9% were talking with their phones in hand, 9% were texting , and 6.4% of those with no passengers in the car were observed talking (likely on a hands-free, or Bluetooth, call). Older drivers were less likely to be texting. Drivers were less likely to be using their phones when they had passengers and when it was raining. We demonstrate the value of observational studies for understanding technology use; our results complement those of self-report survey research.