01372759

Component

https://doi.org/10.3141/2321-02

http://scholar.google.com...rphy&publication_year=2012

This methodological report describes survey research and data collection methods employed for the first observational survey of cell phone use and texting by California drivers. This study was conducted by Ewald and Wasserman Research Consultants on behalf of the California Office of Traffic Safety and the Safe Transportation Research and Education Center at the University of California, Berkeley. The goal of the survey was to obtain a statewide, statistically representative observational sample. Vehicle drivers were observed at controlled intersections, such as traffic lights and stop signs, using a protocol similar to the National Occupancy Protection Use Study methodology published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Seventeen California counties were included in the sample frame, and 5,413 valid observations were made. Overall, 4.2% of drivers observed were using a cell phone while driving (phone to ear, manipulating a handheld device, talking on a handheld device, or talking via a headset or Bluetooth device). Because of the difficulty of observing hands-free use, previously used methods were applied to estimate this use at 4.8%. Therefore, an estimate of overall cell phone use in California during the survey period is 9%. California’s baseline level of cell phone use and driving will be a critical metric over the years as traffic safety stakeholders mobilize to conduct high-visibility enforcement campaigns, explore new policies, expand educational programs, and engineer countermeasures to increase safety on the roads.

01470176

12-4126

English

pp 7–14

2012

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board

9780309263160

Print

Figures; References; Tables

Cellular telephones; Drivers; Surveys; Text messaging; Traffic safety; Utilization

Driving while telephoning

California

Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Feb 8 2012 5:22PM

• Automatic Calibration of Behavioral Parameters for Variable Message Sign–Based Route Guidance Consistent with Driver Behavior
• Driver Performance at High Speeds Using a Simulator
• Driver Responses to Signing Treatments for Flooded Roads
• Dynamic Maximum Speed Limits: Perception, Mental Workload, and Compliance
• Effect of External Distractions: Behavior and Vehicle Control of Novice and Experienced Drivers Evaluated
• Evaluating the Impact of Processing Spoken Words on Driving: Experiments with Driving Simulator
• Investigating Differences Between Experienced Adult Drivers and Teen Drivers with Low-Cost Vehicle Data Recorder
• Naturalistic Census of Cell Phone Use
• New Measure of Inattentiveness to Forward Roadway
• Observations of Driver Behavior During Overtaking of Bicycles on Rural Roads
• Outbound Texting: Comparison of Speech-Based Approach and Handheld Touch-Screen Equivalent
• Using Crash Data to Develop Simulator Scenarios for Assessing Novice Driver Performance