Mobile Phone Use and Driving: Legislation and Deterrence

• In Event: The Impact of Legislation on Crime Prevention and Public Safety

Abstract

Media attention of bans on mobile phone use while driving has the potential to encourage drivers to operate in safer ways, potentially leading to gains similar to those seen with the institution of stricter DWI laws in reducing motor vehicle crashes. State-level traffic code vagarities, however, currently impede deterrence and research efforts. This study reviews these laws and their corresponding publicity in a general deterrence context. Texas Department of Transportation Crash Records Information System (CRIS) data is also analyzed to assess the effect of existing deterrence efforts on crashes statewide for which mobile phone use is a contributing factor. Autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model results are presented in the context of current developments to highlight changes over time in Texas crash rates. Implications for legislation and future research are discussed.

Authors

• Valerie G. Womack, University of Texas at Dallas

• Nadine M. Connell, University of Texas at Dallas