Study Explores Phone Use While Driving Among Older Adults

Distracted driving involving cell phone use is a problem on the rise that is commonly associated with younger drivers, especially those in their teens and early- to mid-20s, but it turns out that their older counterparts aren’t quite so innocent, either. A new study by the University of California, San Diego has found that older drivers in the age-range of 30 to 64 may be just as likely as younger drivers to use their phones behind the wheel, particularly when it comes to “hands-free” use.

Of 715 people who were polled for the study, about 75% admitted to using hands-free technology to talk on the phone while driving, and a remarkable 90% claimed to be “capable” or “very capable” drivers while using it. Furthermore, about three of every 10 participants claimed to be unaware that talking hands-free while driving can increase the risk of an accident at all.

The researchers then found that whether there were children in the car often had little impact on the adult’s decision to use the phone or talk hands-free while driving, so they decided to dig deeper and attempt to pinpoint what is compelling older drivers, especially parents, to use the phone behind the wheel. The conclusion: work-related calls. More than 33% of participants in the study claimed they felt pressured to immediately answer work-related calls, even while driving or when there are children in the vehicle.

In response, the researchers used this information to create an intervention funded by the California Office for Traffic Safety, and have since worked with a number of companies and trained nearly 7,000 employees to mitigate and reduce these habits. “The survey really helped us design something that would change behavior and we’re excited we’ve been able to use it to make a difference,” said Dr. Linda Hill, a UCSD Clinical Professor and co-author of the study.

“We think our intervention should be more widely implemented. People need to hear information about the risks of distracted driving from different sources, like public health, law enforcement and family. We’re now working to get the message out, and hope to set up a system where we train trainers around the country.”

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident by a distracted driver, contact 844 See Mike for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based injury law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have suffered an injury in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.

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