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Factors influencing the use of cellular (mobile) phone during driving and hazards while using it.

No Effects Found

Poysti L, Rajalin S, Summala H · 2005

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Drivers naturally reduce phone-related risks through strategic avoidance, suggesting behavioral modifications can help manage wireless technology hazards.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers surveyed 834 Finnish drivers who owned mobile phones to understand who uses phones while driving and what hazards they experience. They found that older drivers, women, and those with high safety motivation were more likely to avoid phone use entirely while driving, while younger drivers and heavy phone users reported more driving hazards. The study concluded that drivers are making strategic decisions to control phone-related risks, which may explain why accident rates haven't increased proportionally with mobile phone adoption.

Study Details

This study addressed the strategic decisions on not using a mobile phone at all while driving, and phone-related driving hazards among those drivers who do use one, reflecting tactical and operational level processes.

A representative sample of 834 licensed drivers who own a mobile phone were interviewed on their pho...

Among those who used a phone while driving, exposure to risk in terms of higher mileage and more ext...

This study clearly indicates that potential risks of mobile phones are being controlled at many levels, by strategic as well as tactical decisions and, consequently, phone-related accidents have not increased in line with the use of the mobile phones.

Cite This Study
Poysti L, Rajalin S, Summala H (2005). Factors influencing the use of cellular (mobile) phone during driving and hazards while using it. Accid Anal Prev. 37(1):47-51, 2005.
Show BibTeX
@article{l_2005_factors_influencing_the_use_3312,
  author = {Poysti L and Rajalin S and Summala H},
  title = {Factors influencing the use of cellular (mobile) phone during driving and hazards while using it.},
  year = {2005},
  
  url = {https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15607274/},
}
PubMed: 15607274

Cited By (181 papers)

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Quick Questions About This Study

A 2005 Finnish study of 834 drivers found that phone-related accidents haven't increased proportionally with mobile phone adoption. Drivers appear to make strategic decisions to control phone-related risks, with older drivers and women more likely to avoid phone use entirely while driving.
Research suggests the safety risks from mobile phones while driving come from distraction rather than radiation exposure. A study of Finnish drivers found that behavioral factors like age, safety motivation, and usage patterns determined driving hazards, not radiation effects.
The health risks from cell phone use while driving relate to accident potential from distraction, not radiation exposure. Finnish research showed that drivers who use phones more extensively report more driving hazards, but overall accident rates haven't risen with phone adoption.
Studies indicate the primary risks from mobile phones in cars involve driving distraction rather than radiation health effects. Research on 834 Finnish drivers found that strategic behavioral decisions help control phone-related driving risks, preventing proportional increases in accidents.
Current research doesn't support EMF exposure causing driving impairment. A Finnish study found that phone-related driving hazards correlated with usage patterns and driver characteristics like age and safety motivation, suggesting behavioral rather than radiation-based effects.