Why drivers use cell phones and support legislation to restrict this practice
DOI: 10.1016/j.aap.2016.03.010
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Summary
This research brief addresses the paradoxical behavior of drivers who frequently use cell phones while driving yet simultaneously support legislation restricting such practices. The study aims to explain this inconsistency between personal behavior and advocated policy by examining the underlying motivations for cell phone use and the attitudes contributing to support for restrictions. To investigate this issue, the researchers administered a survey to assess drivers’ motivations, attitudes, and beliefs. Participants were asked to report the perceived risks and benefits of their own cell phone use while driving, as well as the risks and benefits of others’ use. Additionally, participants evaluated their own abilities and those of other drivers to operate vehicles safely while distracted. The study also included the Operation Span task, a measure previously used to assess multitasking ability, to provide context for participants’ self-assessments. Finally, respondents indicated their level of support for legislation that would restrict cell phone use during vehicle operation. The findings reveal that drivers continue to use cell phones primarily for benefits such as completing work tasks. The apparent hypocrisy of using these devices while advocating for restrictions stems from a significant disparity in perceived safety risks between self and others. Most drivers believe they possess the ability to drive safely while using mobile devices, whereas they lack confidence in other drivers’ abilities to do the same. Consequently, drivers perceive others’ cell phone use as dangerous and a threat to public safety. This perceived threat posed by others’ usage was identified as one of the strongest independent predictors of support for restrictive legislation. The significance of this research lies in its explanation of the psychological mechanisms driving public support for traffic safety laws. The general support for legislation suggests that most individuals are willing to relinquish their own cell phone usage if the perceived threat to public safety from others’ usage is diminished. This insight helps clarify why people engage in risky behaviors while supporting regulations that prohibit them, highlighting the role of biased self-assessment and concern for others in shaping policy preferences. The study provides valuable context for understanding driver behavior and the social dynamics influencing traffic safety legislation.
Key finding
The perceived threat to public safety from other drivers' cell phone use is a primary driver of support for legislation restricting mobile device usage while driving.
Methodology
survey
Provenance
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Summary generated by qwen3.6-27b-prismaquant on 2026-06-10; verification: verified.
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Information type
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- Applied Guidance: policy recommendations
- Empirical Findings: observational prevalence