A Pilot Study on Texting and driving: Policy and Statistics, Will They Change Behavior?

Background: With the rise of technology and smart phones, texting and driving has  led to fatalities across the nation. The greatest proportion of distracted drivers are under the age of 20 years. Florida instituted a secondary offense for texting and driving in 2013, however, lack of compliance is abundant.

Methods: A pilot study was implemented during the Fall semester 2013 at a private university. Mixed methods in this cross sectional study included observations and survey administration. Observations (n=646) took place at three locations on campus near student parking garages. Data was collected on behaviors exiting the garage and entering the main highway. The survey (n=32) was disseminated to a random sample of students on campus.

Results: The observation data indicated that 5%( n= 32) of the drivers were clearly texting while driving and 6% (n=39) of the drivers were looking down while driving. After providing the students with alarming morbidity and mortality statistics about texting and driving, 56.3% of the students indicated they would change their behavior and 28.1% said they would change their behavior temporarily. Fifty percent (n=16) of the students surveyed indicated they routinely text and drive.

Conclusion: Despite secondary offenses for texting and driving, college students in this sample continue to text and drive. This small sample warrants a larger study to assess if disturbing statistics can alter behavior long-term.  Policies for texting and driving need to be primary offenses if the behavior is to be curbed in the college population.