Ramiaa
Investigation of the Use of Mobile Phones
While Driving
Prepared by
Alasdair Cain
Mark Burris
Center for Urban Transportation Research
College of Engineering, University of South Florida
4202 E. Fowler Ave, CUT 100
Tampa, Florida 33620
April 1999
INVESTIGATION OF THE USE OF MOBILE PHONES
WHILE DRIVING
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The number of mobile phone users in the U.S. has grown from 500,000 in 1985 to 63 million in 1998. This rapid growth has occurred largely without consideration of the mobile phone’s suitability for usage while driving. The objective of this report is to summarize existing information on the subject of mobile phone use while driving, in order to provide a concise summary of the issues for the public, researchers, and legislators alike. The report discusses the benefits of mobile phone usage while driving, such as driver safety and time use efficiency, and negative aspects such as its potential for driver distraction resulting in accidents.
The report contains information on the demographics of mobile phone use in the U.S., focusing on user demographics and frequency of usage while driving. Although once used primarily by high income business people, user demographics are now much more similar to the demographics of the U.S. population as a whole. Findings from literature on the subject of mobile phone use and driving performance are highly variable. In general, the literature shows that the effect of mobile phone use on driving is a complex issue with several influencing factors including the type of mobile phone used, the type of conversation undertaken, and the demographics of the user. In general, it was found that mobile phone use does have an adverse affect on driving performance, but the significance of the distraction is difficult to quantify. Reports found that people that used a mobile phone while driving were anywhere from 34 percent to 300 percent more likely to have an accident.
At present, only
While Driving
Prepared by
Alasdair Cain
Mark Burris
Center for Urban Transportation Research
College of Engineering, University of South Florida
4202 E. Fowler Ave, CUT 100
Tampa, Florida 33620
April 1999
INVESTIGATION OF THE USE OF MOBILE PHONES
WHILE DRIVING
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The number of mobile phone users in the U.S. has grown from 500,000 in 1985 to 63 million in 1998. This rapid growth has occurred largely without consideration of the mobile phone’s suitability for usage while driving. The objective of this report is to summarize existing information on the subject of mobile phone use while driving, in order to provide a concise summary of the issues for the public, researchers, and legislators alike. The report discusses the benefits of mobile phone usage while driving, such as driver safety and time use efficiency, and negative aspects such as its potential for driver distraction resulting in accidents.
The report contains information on the demographics of mobile phone use in the U.S., focusing on user demographics and frequency of usage while driving. Although once used primarily by high income business people, user demographics are now much more similar to the demographics of the U.S. population as a whole. Findings from literature on the subject of mobile phone use and driving performance are highly variable. In general, the literature shows that the effect of mobile phone use on driving is a complex issue with several influencing factors including the type of mobile phone used, the type of conversation undertaken, and the demographics of the user. In general, it was found that mobile phone use does have an adverse affect on driving performance, but the significance of the distraction is difficult to quantify. Reports found that people that used a mobile phone while driving were anywhere from 34 percent to 300 percent more likely to have an accident.
At present, only
References: “Building the Wireless Future,” Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association, Public Information Document, 1998. California State Legislation web-site, http://www.sen.ca.gov, 1998. Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association, website, http://www.wow-com.com, 1999. Operations (Veridian) Buffalo NY & NHTSA, Washington DC, 1997. 40 Federal Communications Commission website, http://www.fcc.gov/, 1999. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, DOT HS 808-635, 1997. Hart, Peter D., and Associates, “The Evolving Wireless Marketplace,” http://www.wowcom.com, 1998. House of Commons web-site, United Kingdom, http://www.parliament.the-stationaryoffice.co.uk, 1998. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website, http://www.highwaysafety.org, 1999. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website, http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov, 1999. Ordnungsbussenverordnung, March 4, 1996, No. 311. AS 1996, p 1075 (1090) 41 Prevention Magazine, “Auto Safety in America,” Princeton Survey Research Associates, 1995. Stevens, A, and Paolo, DAO, TRL Report 318, “The Use of Mobile Phones while Driving: A Review”, Transport Research Laboratory, United Kingdom, 1997. Verkehrsvegelnverordnung, November 13 1952, Systematische Sammlund des Amtliche Sammlungdes Bundesrechts (AS), 1989 FEBRUARY 28, 1997 An act to add Section 21700.3 to the Vehicle Code, relating to vehicles.