Citation

Bradish T, Wilson JH, Locker L. Transp. Res. F Traffic Psychol. Behav. 2019; 66: 226-233.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.trf.2019.09.007

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Young adults own and use cellphones at a high rate, including use while driving. A recent law in Georgia prohibits touching a cellphone while driving, providing a unique opportunity to assess the law's effectiveness. In the present study, we predicted cellphone use among young adults (post law) based on prior use (pre law), anxiety associated with cellphone use, and components of the theory of planned behavior, including a modified measure of cellphone addiction. All variables significantly predicted cellphone use while driving, including reading and sending texts as well as answering and making calls. The strongest predictor across equations was prior behavior, indicating the inability of a law to break an established habit of cellphone use while driving. We offer several potential solutions to address cellphone use among young adults.

Language: en

Keywords

Cellphone; Driving; Mobile phone; Texting; Theory of planned behavior