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Rethinking Cell Phone Use While Driving: Isolated Risk Behavior or a Pattern of Risk-Taking Associated with Impulsivity in Young Drivers?

Author

Listed:
  • Elizabeth A. Walshe

    (Center for Injury Research and Prevention, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA)

  • Flaura K. Winston

    (Center for Injury Research and Prevention, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
    Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA)

  • Dan Romer

    (Annenberg Public Policy Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA)

Abstract

This study examines whether cell phone use stands apart from a general pattern of risky driving practices associated with crashes and impulsivity-related personality traits in young drivers. A retrospective online survey study recruited 384 young drivers from across the United States using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk to complete a survey measuring risky driving practices (including cell phone use), history of crashes, and impulsivity-related personality traits. Almost half (44.5%) of the drivers reported being involved in at least one crash, and the majority engaged in cell phone use while driving (up to 73%). Factor analysis and structural equation modeling found that cell phone use loaded highly on a latent factor with other risky driving practices that were associated with prior crashes ( b = 0.15, [95% CI: 0.01, 0.29]). There was also an indirect relationship between one form of impulsivity and crashes through risky driving ( b = 0.127, [95% CI: 0.01, 0.30]). Additional analyses did not find an independent contribution to crashes for frequent cell phone use. These results suggest a pattern of risky driving practices associated with impulsivity in young drivers, indicating the benefit of exploring a more comprehensive safe driving strategy that includes the avoidance of cell phone use as well as other risky practices, particularly for young drivers with greater impulsive tendencies.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizabeth A. Walshe & Flaura K. Winston & Dan Romer, 2021. "Rethinking Cell Phone Use While Driving: Isolated Risk Behavior or a Pattern of Risk-Taking Associated with Impulsivity in Young Drivers?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-11, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:11:p:5640-:d:561719
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. M. Kit Delgado & Kathryn J. Wanner & Catherine McDonald, 2016. "Adolescent Cellphone Use While Driving: An Overview of the Literature and Promising Future Directions for Prevention," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 4(3), pages 79-89.
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    Cited by:

    1. Julia Sajewicz & Alicja Dziuba-Słonina, 2023. "Texting on a Smartphone While Walking Affects Gait Parameters," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-8, March.

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