Guidance to Promote Family Rules and Workplace Policies to Reduce Cell Phone Use While Driving and Promote Engaged Driving

Otto, Jay; Finley, Kari; McMahill, Annmarie; Arpin, Jamie · 2021 · ROSA P / Montana. Department of Transportation

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Summary

This report addresses the persistent traffic safety issue of distracted driving, specifically focusing on cell phone use and other attention-diverting activities. The research is motivated by the recognition that cultural and social norms significantly influence driver behavior. While legal policies exist, the authors argue that interventions leveraging social relationships—specifically between parents and teen drivers, and between supervisors and employees—can more effectively reduce distracted driving. The study aims to develop evidence-based guidance and conversation tools to help these key influencers establish clear expectations and rules for "engaged driving." The methodology involved a mixed-methods approach conducted between June 2019 and May 2021 by the Center for Health and Safety Culture at Montana State University, in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration and multiple state Departments of Transportation. The researchers implemented four distinct surveys. Two surveys measured beliefs about distracted driving and the establishment of rules among parents with teen drivers and supervisors of employees who drive for work. These surveys utilized regression models to analyze predictors of distracted driving behaviors and parenting/supervisory behaviors. The other two surveys tested the effectiveness of draft messages and conversation guides designed to facilitate discussions about distracted driving within families and workplaces. The study drew on behavioral change theories, emphasizing elements such as cognitive engagement, knowledge building, practice, support, and locus of control. Key findings revealed that attitudes, perceived injunctive and descriptive norms, and perceived control were significant predictors of distracted driving behaviors among parents. While many parents reported having family rules against handheld cell phone use and texting while driving, far fewer had rules addressing hands-free conversations, adjusting vehicle equipment, or reaching for objects. Regression models indicated that behavioral beliefs, perceived descriptive norms, and perceived control significantly predicted parenting behaviors aimed at reducing teen distraction. Similar patterns were observed among supervisors, where organizational norms and management culture influenced employee driving behaviors. The surveys also assessed reactions to the proposed guidance, finding that participants responded positively to messages that encouraged open-ended questions and active listening, which fostered cognitive engagement. The significance of this work lies in its provision of practical, theory-driven tools for non-regulatory intervention. The results informed the creation of specific conversation guides for parents and supervisors to decrease distracted driving and increase engaged driving. The report concludes that policy alone is insufficient; instead, combining workplace policies with educational strategies, compliance monitoring, and positive reinforcement is essential. For families, the guidance emphasizes the importance of parental modeling and co-creating rules to ensure buy-in. By targeting the social identities and relationships of drivers, these strategies aim to create a cultural shift where distracted driving is socially unacceptable, thereby reducing crash risks and associated costs in both private and occupational settings.

Key finding

Attitudes, perceived injunctive and descriptive norms, and perceived control were significant predictors of distracted driving behaviors among parents and supervisors.

Methodology

survey

Provenance

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Topics

Ranked by relevance to this paper. Hover a topic for its definition.

• parental management
• distraction laws
• mobile phones
• passenger effects
• public messaging
• distraction detection algorithms

Information type

What kind of knowledge this paper contributes, grouped by family — independent of topic (what it is about) and method (how it was studied).

• Applied Guidance: policy recommendations
• Empirical Findings: observational prevalence
• Theoretical Contribution: theory or model