Distracted driving: Prevalence and motivations

Abstract

This study is a selective review of recent international literature concerning the prevalence of distracted driving and motivations underpinning this behaviour. Many different types of distracted driving behaviours need to be considered in addition to mobile phone use with other distracted driving behaviours shown to be as prevalent, or more prevalent, than mobile phone use. This review highlighted the dangers associated with hands-free phone use while driving, and the risk that laws abolishing only hand-held phone may give drivers a false sense of security when engaging in this behaviour. Further research is needed to understand the motivations underlying a wider array of distracted driving behaviours that are not limited to mobile phone use.