Prevalence of secondary task engagement and distraction among novice teen drivers

Background/Purpose: The majority of studies reporting novice drivers' secondary task engagement have focused on cell phone use while driving. However, other secondary tasks such as eating or reaching for an object, have also been shown to elevate novice teen drivers' crash risk. The purpose of this study is to describe the prevalence of a range of secondary tasks during driving among novice teen drivers.

Methods: Self-reported questionnaire data from the NEXT Generation Health Study were analyzed to estimate the prevalence of a range of secondary tasks during driving in a nationally representative sample of eleventh grade students (N=2,439). Using the subsample of teens that reported having a license that allowed independent, unsupervised driving (n=881), the prevalence of talking, texting, drinking or eating, navigating, reading and grooming, and changing music while driving were estimated.

Results/Outcomes: Four out of five (80.0%) teen drivers reported talking on a cell phone and 72.0% reported texting at least one day in the past 30 days. Three out of four (74.9%) teen drivers reported eating or drinking while driving, 22.6% reported using a navigation system, and 16.9% reported reading or grooming while driving. Finally, 92.4% reported changing music on the radio or using an MP3, CD or other device while driving.

Conclusions: The findings of this study suggest secondary task engagement while driving is highly prevalent and normative among novice teen drivers. A strategy to reduce behaviors that are known to increase crash risk for novice drivers, such as cell phone use and eating, is required.