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[Prevalence of mobile phone use while driving vehicles]

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Astrain I, Bernaus J, Claverol J, Escobar A, Godoy P. · 2003

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Over 3% of drivers use mobile phones while driving, creating both immediate safety risks and increased EMF exposure patterns.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Spanish researchers observed 1,536 drivers at traffic intersections in Lleida to measure how often people use mobile phones while driving. They found that 3.3% of drivers were using their phones, with higher rates among men, drivers without passengers, and those in urban areas during rush hour. The study highlights the safety risks of phone use while driving, particularly given the potential for increased accident rates.

Why This Matters

While this study doesn't examine biological effects of EMF exposure directly, it reveals an important behavioral pattern that has significant health implications. The 3.3% prevalence rate may seem modest, but when applied to millions of drivers daily, it represents a substantial public safety concern. The research demonstrates how mobile phone technology creates new risk behaviors, with drivers essentially choosing convenience over safety. What makes this particularly relevant to EMF health discussions is that it shows how readily people expose themselves to RF radiation even in high-risk situations. The profile of typical users - men aged 18-40 or over 61, driving alone during rush hour - suggests that certain demographics may have higher cumulative EMF exposures due to usage patterns. This behavioral data underscores the need for both safety education and hands-free alternatives that can reduce both accident risk and direct head exposure to phone radiation.

Exposure Information

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Study Details

To estimate the prevalence of mobile telephone use while driving vehicles in the city of Lleida (Spain).

A random sample of 1536 cars passing through six intersections regulated by traffic lights in Lleida...

A total of 1536 direct observations were made and mobile telephone use was detected in 50 drivers. T...

The prevalence of mobile telephone use while driving vehicles can be considered high, because of the increase in car accidents. The profile of drivers using mobile telephones corresponds to men aged 18-40 years or more than 61 years, in urban intersections, without passengers, during workdays and at the rush hour. We recommend the implementation of measures to decrease the use of mobile telephones while driving.

Cite This Study
Astrain I, Bernaus J, Claverol J, Escobar A, Godoy P. (2003). [Prevalence of mobile phone use while driving vehicles] Gac Sanit 17(1):66-69, 2003.
Show BibTeX
@article{i_2003_prevalence_of_mobile_phone_1847,
  author = {Astrain I and Bernaus J and Claverol J and Escobar A and Godoy P.},
  title = {[Prevalence of mobile phone use while driving vehicles]},
  year = {2003},
  
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/med/12605748},
}
PubMed: 12605748

Cited By (7 papers)

Quick Questions About This Study

Yes, mobile phone use while driving significantly increases accident risk. A 2003 Spanish study found 3.3% of drivers were using phones at intersections, with researchers noting this creates substantial safety hazards and recommending measures to reduce phone use while driving.
Research shows approximately 3.3% of drivers use mobile phones while driving. A Spanish observational study of 1,536 drivers found 50 were actively using phones at traffic intersections, with higher rates among men and unaccompanied drivers in urban areas.
Yes, men are more than twice as likely to use phones while driving compared to women. Spanish researchers found male drivers had 2.2 times higher odds of phone use, particularly men aged 18-40 years and those over 60 years old.
Yes, urban driving shows significantly higher phone use rates. The study found drivers at urban intersections were 2.7 times more likely to use mobile phones compared to rural areas, especially during rush hour and on workdays.
Yes, having passengers significantly reduces phone use while driving. Research shows unaccompanied drivers are three times more likely to use mobile phones compared to drivers with passengers, suggesting passengers serve as a deterrent to risky phone behavior.