|
Affiliation
|
School of Automobile and Traffic Engineering, Hefei University of Technology , Hefei 230009 , Anhui Province , China. |
|
Abstract
|
OBJECTIVE: As the prevalence of mobile phone use has increased globally, experts have verified the effects of mobile phone distraction on traffic safety. However, the psychological factors underlying pedestrians' decision to use their mobile phone while crossing the street have received little attention.
METHODS: The present study employed the theory of planned behavior to investigate the psychological factors that influence pedestrians' intentions to use a mobile phone while crossing the street. The additional predictors of descriptive norm, moral norm, risk perception, mobile phone involvement and the perceived ability to compensate are included.
RESULTS: Approximately 40% of participants reported having used a mobile phone while crossing during the previous week and 5.4% had been involved in crossing accidents due to mobile phone distractions. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed overall support for the predictive utility of the TPB. The standard TPB variables accounted for 13.3% of variance in intentions after demographic variables were controlled, and the extended predictors contributed an additional 7.6% beyond the standard constructs.
CONCLUSION: The current study revealed that attitude, perceived behavior control, descriptive norm, mobile phone involvement and the perceived ability to compensate all emerged as significant predictors of intentions. The findings could support the design of more effective safety campaigns and interventions to reduce pedestrians' distracted crossing behavior.
Language: en |