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The Effects of Text Messaging on Young Drivers

Monash University Accident Research Centre, Melbourne, Australia, simon.hosking{at}dsto.defence.gov.au

Kristie L. Young

Monash University Accident Research Centre, Melbourne, Australia

Michael A. Regan

French National Institute for Transport and Safety Research (INRETS), Lyon, France

Objective: This study investigated the effects of using a cell phone to retrieve and send text messages on the driving performance of young novice drivers. Background: Young drivers are particularly susceptible to driver distraction and have an increased risk of distraction-related crashes. Distractions from in-vehicle devices, particularly, those that require manual input, are known to cause decrements in driving performance. Method: Twenty young novice drivers used a cell phone to retrieve and send text messages while driving a simulator. Results: The amount of time that drivers spent not looking at the road when text messaging was up to ~400% greater than that recorded in baseline (no-text-messaging) conditions. Furthermore, drivers’ variability in lane position increased up to ~50%, and missed lane changes increased 140%. There was also an increase of up to ~150% in drivers’ variability in following distances to lead vehicles. Conclusion: Previous research has shown that the risk of crashing while dialing a handheld device, such as when text messaging and driving, is more than double that of conversing on a cell phone. The present study has identified the detrimental effects of text messaging on driving performance that may underlie such increased crash risk. Application: More effective road safety measures are needed to prevent and mitigate the adverse effects on driving performance of using cell phones to retrieve and send text messages.

This version was published on August 1, 2009

Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, Vol. 51, No. 4, 582-592 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0018720809341575


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