Phone use and crashes while driving: A representative survey of drivers in two Australian states

Abstract

Objective: To explore the use and effects of using mobile phones while driving. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: New South Wales and Western Australia, 20 October to 7 November 2003. Participants: 1347 licensed drivers aged 18 to 65 years. Data were weighted to reflect the corresponding driving population in each state. Main outcome measures: Mobile phone use while driving (hand-held, hands-free and text messaging); adverse effects of use. Results: While driving, an estimated 57.3%±1.5% of drivers have ever used a mobile phone and 12.4%±1.0% have written text messages. Men, younger drivers and metropolitan residents were more likely to use a phone while driving and to report a higher..