Through myriad articles, there is a known correlation between the use of a cellular device (whether hands-free or conventional use) and the increased rate of traffic accidents and driver distraction (Klauer, et al., 2014). These mobile phones, which are now capable of not only answering calls, but are also capable of playing games, text messaging, browsing the internet, etc... are now attainable for a vast number of individuals. According to the Cellular Telephone Industries Association (CTIA), there were over 377 million U.S. mobile phone subscriptions by the end of 2015 (Cellular Telephone Industries Association, 2015). With the increased availability and technological abilities of these devices has come the ability of individuals to use
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Additionally, a study conducted by Strayer, Drews, and Crouch (2006) found that driver mobile phone use while driving led to performance decrements similar to those found in intoxicated drivers with a blood alcohol level of .08%. The well-researched link between mobile phone use while driving and distraction, along with public opposition (e.g. Sanbonmatsu, Strayer, Behrends, Ward, & Watson, 2016) and pervasive mobile phone usage (e.g. Cellular Telephone Industries Association, 2015) indicates a major hypocrisy between perceived risk to one’s self and the risk others face while using a mobile phone. While difficult to determine with absolute certainty the number of drivers who actively use a mobile phone while driving, this hypocrisy seems to suggest that many drivers are supportive of measures that would outlaw the very behavior they willingly participate in. With the wide breadth of data available showing the clear link between traffic accidents and mobile phone use (SOURCES), one must wonder why individuals would still participate in such a risky behavior in the face of overwhelming …show more content…
al, heavy to moderate users of mobile phone experienced heightened levels of anxiety when their phones were removed from their person for a period of 20 minutes (Cheever, Rosen, Carrier, & Chavez, 2014). This research leads credence to the claim that even when drivers are not actively using their phone, drivers still may be distracted by the mere presence of the mobile phone if they are unable to attend to incoming messages or read its current state (e.g. notifications displayed). With many states now outlawing the use of mobile phones while driving (SOURCE), many drivers, who are heavy to moderate users of their mobile phone, may find that even though they are not actively using their device they are still experiencing a cognitive decrement related to the increased levels of anxiety. While more recent data may be more accurate, researchers in a 2011 study found that mobile phone users check their phone an average of 34 times per day not based on a need to do so, but rather due to habit. This habitual checking of the phone may explain some of the dependence and anxiety feelings that high and moderate mobile phone users experience while driving and unable to attend to their mobile phones (Oulasvirta, Rattenbury, Ma, & Raita, 2012). Supplementing behavioral outcomes of mobile phone dependence (MPD), researchers found that individuals who were highly dependent on their mobile phone had less gray matter volume in the right superior
Additionally, a study conducted by Strayer, Drews, and Crouch (2006) found that driver mobile phone use while driving led to performance decrements similar to those found in intoxicated drivers with a blood alcohol level of .08%. The well-researched link between mobile phone use while driving and distraction, along with public opposition (e.g. Sanbonmatsu, Strayer, Behrends, Ward, & Watson, 2016) and pervasive mobile phone usage (e.g. Cellular Telephone Industries Association, 2015) indicates a major hypocrisy between perceived risk to one’s self and the risk others face while using a mobile phone. While difficult to determine with absolute certainty the number of drivers who actively use a mobile phone while driving, this hypocrisy seems to suggest that many drivers are supportive of measures that would outlaw the very behavior they willingly participate in. With the wide breadth of data available showing the clear link between traffic accidents and mobile phone use (SOURCES), one must wonder why individuals would still participate in such a risky behavior in the face of overwhelming …show more content…
al, heavy to moderate users of mobile phone experienced heightened levels of anxiety when their phones were removed from their person for a period of 20 minutes (Cheever, Rosen, Carrier, & Chavez, 2014). This research leads credence to the claim that even when drivers are not actively using their phone, drivers still may be distracted by the mere presence of the mobile phone if they are unable to attend to incoming messages or read its current state (e.g. notifications displayed). With many states now outlawing the use of mobile phones while driving (SOURCE), many drivers, who are heavy to moderate users of their mobile phone, may find that even though they are not actively using their device they are still experiencing a cognitive decrement related to the increased levels of anxiety. While more recent data may be more accurate, researchers in a 2011 study found that mobile phone users check their phone an average of 34 times per day not based on a need to do so, but rather due to habit. This habitual checking of the phone may explain some of the dependence and anxiety feelings that high and moderate mobile phone users experience while driving and unable to attend to their mobile phones (Oulasvirta, Rattenbury, Ma, & Raita, 2012). Supplementing behavioral outcomes of mobile phone dependence (MPD), researchers found that individuals who were highly dependent on their mobile phone had less gray matter volume in the right superior