Cellular phone use while driving on the University of Florida campus

Background: Our pilot study revealed a possible relationship between miles driven and texting while driving. Our current study aims to illuminate this relationship as well as explore gender rates and attitudes in further detail. Pilot Study Methods: Phase 1 included an anonymous questionnaire administered to university students that focused on self reported behaviors including reading/writing texts, talking on the phone and potential “protective” behaviors while driving, frequency of behaviors, demographics, and driving history. Phase 2 employed direct observation of vehicles at four intersections on campus. The number of vehicles, distractions, and genders of distracted drivers were recorded for 30-minute intervals in each direction. Frequencies and correlations were tabulated for data sets. Pilot Study Results: Phase 1: 290 students participated in the questionnaire with an average age of 22.2. 86.6% of respondents said they send texts while driving. Students were asked whether they engage in certain behaviors and responded as such: texting at a stop sign (45.7%), texting in parking lots (48.4%), pulling over to text (7.5%), and asking a passenger to text (56.1%). Indicative of our current research, miles driven had a significant, positive correlation (p < 0.001). Phase 2: 1,138 vehicles were observed revealing that 12.9% of drivers were engaged in distracted driving. Among all drivers, 3.4% were texting and 6.4% were speaking on the phone. Current research is ongoing through May. Conclusion: Previous results have shown that this behavior is widespread and could pose multiple risks. Current research has the potential to guide campus policy.