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Wireless telephones and the risk of road crashes.

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Laberge-Nadeau C, Maag U, Bellavance F, Lapierre SD, Desjardins D, Messier S, Sai;di A. · 2003

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Heavy cell phone users while driving face double the crash risk compared to non-users, showing clear dose-response relationship.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Canadian researchers tracked 36,000 drivers for four years, comparing accident rates between cell phone users and non-users. They found that cell phone users had 38% higher rates of crashes and injury-causing accidents, with heavy users showing double the risk compared to minimal users. This large-scale study demonstrates a clear dose-response relationship where more frequent cell phone use while driving leads to progressively higher crash risks.

Why This Matters

This comprehensive epidemiological study provides compelling evidence that cell phone use while driving significantly increases accident risk, with the most concerning finding being the dose-response relationship. The science demonstrates that heavier cell phone users face at least double the crash risk compared to minimal users, even after accounting for driving habits and mileage. What makes this research particularly valuable is its methodology - tracking actual phone company records rather than relying solely on self-reported usage, which eliminates much of the recall bias that weakens other studies. The reality is that this 38% increased risk applies to the radio frequency exposures from phones that were common in 2003, which were typically much higher power than today's devices due to less efficient network infrastructure. Put simply, while modern phones may pose somewhat lower risks due to improved technology, the fundamental cognitive distraction and potential biological effects of RF exposure during driving remain relevant safety concerns.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Study Details

This research is an epidemiological study on two large cohorts, namely users and non-users of cell phones, with the objective of verifying whether an association exists between cell phone use and road crashes, separating those with injuries

The Société de l'Assurance Automobile du Québec (SAAQ) mailed a questionnaire and letter of consent ...

The relative risk of all accidents and of accidents with injuries is higher for users of cell phones...

Cite This Study
Laberge-Nadeau C, Maag U, Bellavance F, Lapierre SD, Desjardins D, Messier S, Sai;di A. (2003). Wireless telephones and the risk of road crashes. Accid Anal Prev. 35(5):649-660, 2003.
Show BibTeX
@article{c_2003_wireless_telephones_and_the_2326,
  author = {Laberge-Nadeau C and Maag U and Bellavance F and Lapierre SD and Desjardins D and Messier S and Sai;di A.},
  title = {Wireless telephones and the risk of road crashes.},
  year = {2003},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12850065/},
}

Cited By (242 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, Canadian researchers tracking 36,000 drivers found cell phone users had 38% higher crash rates than non-users. This four-year study demonstrated that both men and women who used cell phones while driving experienced significantly more accidents and injury-causing collisions.
Heavy cell phone users show at least double the crash risk compared to minimal users, according to this large-scale Canadian study. The research revealed a clear dose-response relationship where more frequent cell phone use while driving leads to progressively higher accident rates.
When researchers adjusted for kilometers driven and driving habits, cell phone users still showed elevated crash risks of 10-20% above non-users. This suggests that cell phone use itself, not just driving exposure, contributes significantly to increased accident rates among users.
Both injury-causing collisions and all types of accidents increase by 38% among cell phone users while driving. The Canadian study found this elevated risk applied equally to men and women across various accident categories and driver subgroups.
Researchers followed 36,000 Canadian drivers for four years to compare accident rates between cell phone users and non-users. This extended tracking period allowed scientists to identify clear patterns showing 38% higher crash rates among cell phone users.