[Prevalence of mobile phone use while driving vehicles]
Astrain I, Bernaus J, Claverol J, Escobar A, Godoy P. · 2003
View Original AbstractOver 3% of drivers use mobile phones while driving, creating both immediate safety risks and increased EMF exposure patterns.
Plain English Summary
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.
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},
}