Background: Driver distractions have been suggested as a contributor to traffic accidents. Results indicate that the accident risk can increase when a driver is using the mobile telephone in a car. This study was conducted to determine use of mobile phone by non-commercial drivers and their awareness and attitude to the related risks.
Method: This is a descriptive survey. Two-hundred and sixty-seven randomly selected non-commercial drivers were interviewed using structured questionnaires.
Results: Most respondents 240(90.6%) are aware that GSM use while driving increase risk of road traffic accident (RTA). A high proportion of respondents 205 (72.7%) are aware of devices that reduce hazards from mobile phones. Less than a third (27.5%) admits using mobile phone while driving, only 92(37.7%) use hand free cord while driving. Significantly higher proportion of males than females use GSM phones while driving (p < 0.05). But no significant sex difference among those who put off their phones while driving or use hand free cord while driving (p > 0.05).
Keywords: Driver distraction
Conclusion: Most studies have shown that the relative risk of all accidents and of accidents with injuries is higher for users of cell phones than for non-users. There is thus an urgent need to make users aware of the dangers and for appropriate legislation and enforcement of the legislation.