Prevalence of and Attitudes About Distracted Driving in College Students

Abstract

Distracted driving is a highly prevalent behavior among college students who have higher confidence in their own driving skills and ability to multitask than they have in other drivers' abilities. Drivers' self-efficacy for driving and multitasking in the car, coupled with a greater likelihood of having witnessed DD behaviors in others, greatly increased the probability that a student would engage in DD. Most students felt that policies, such as laws impacting driving privilege and insurance rate increases, would influence their behavior.

A qualitative study of college students' perceptions of risky driving and social influences

“…This finding is consistent with the literature, as most studies report high optimism bias and low perceived susceptibility among this age group (Hill, et al, 2015). While hands-free and Bluetooth devices were seen as safer, these are still significantly risky activities compared to not using a phone at all when driving (Liu & Ou, 2011).…”

“…Distracted driving was common, with texting and driving being most typical, as is supported by the literature (Cook & Jones, 2011;Hill et al, 2015). Research is needed to overcome the perceived barriers and lack of perceived threat of texting and driving, as found both here and in other studies (Hill, et al, 2015).…”

“…In a recent study of young drivers age 15 -19, 58% of crashes examined in this population can be attributed to distracted driving behaviors, including attending to passengers and cell phone use (Carney, et al, 2015). One study among 4,964 college students revealed that about 90% of participants had texted or used the phone regularly while driving (Hill, et al, 2015). Many reported doing so with passengers, even children, riding in the car, despite being aware of the dangers (Harrison, 2011).…”

A Theory-Based Approach to the Development and Evaluation of Public Education Messages Aimed at Social Interactive Technology Use on Smartphones among Young Drivers

“…Young drivers who perceived themselves as good drivers were more likely to monitor/read and respond to communications on their smartphone. Previous research has shown that it is not uncommon for young drivers to perceive themselves as having a greater skill level than their peers and confidence in their ability to multitask (e.g., Hill et al, 2014). This overinflated belief in driving ability can lead to greater engagement in dangerous driving behaviours such as mobile phone use (Hill et al, 2014).…”

“…Previous research has shown that it is not uncommon for young drivers to perceive themselves as having a greater skill level than their peers and confidence in their ability to multitask (e.g., Hill et al, 2014). This overinflated belief in driving ability can lead to greater engagement in dangerous driving behaviours such as mobile phone use (Hill et al, 2014). A recent simulator study of undergraduate students in an American university (Mage = 21.8 years) found that there was no correlation between self-assessment of driving safeness and actual driving errors (Sanbonmatsu, Strayer, Biondi, Behrends, & Moore, 2015).…”