Citation

Shi J, Xiao Y, Atchley P. Transp. Res. F Traffic Psychol. Behav. 2016; 37: 1-9.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.trf.2015.12.003

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In the current work, we examined reasons that drivers choose to engage with a mobile phone while driving in Beijing. An Internet survey was administered to collect data about talking and texting while driving. Conversations were sorted into different types. Respondents were requested to indicate the frequency of initiating a call or text, perceived risk, perceived importance and emotionality of the call or text. A structural equation model of talking and texting while driving was developed with perceived risk, perceived importance and emotionality of the call as predictors and compared to a similar model with U.S. drivers. Unlike the U.S. data, perceived risk has a significant negative impact on the choice to call or text among drivers in Beijing.

RESULTS also show that perceived importance of the call is a major factor affecting the usage of phone while driving. Even though drivers know it is dangerous and illegal, Beijing drivers choose to talk on mobile phones while driving, but they prefer not to text.

Keywords: Driver distraction

Language: en