Almost half of respondents in the Center’s Future of Transportation Study said that interactive devices for drivers should be banned.  How do demographic differences affect that view?

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In 2017, the number of fatal car crashes increased for the second straight year.  Moreover, distracted driving is a leading cause of traffic accidents in recent years. With this in mind, how many people think that all interactive devices for drivers (those that let you text, talk, e-mail, browse the internet, engage with social media, etc.) should be banned from cars in motion?

In our transportation study, overall 48% or respondents strongly or somewhat agreed that all interactive devices for drivers should be banned from cars in motion.

Age

Both the oldest and the youngest were among those most likely to say that interactive devices for drivers should be banned from cars in motion; among both Post-Millennials (ages 14-18) and Pre-Millennials (ages 36 and above) 51% somewhat or strongly agreed. But only 37% of Millennials (ages 19-35) took the same position. For those age 65 and older, the figure was 61%.

Gender

Females (52%) were more likely than males (43%) to support the banning.

Race/ethnicity

In regard to race/ethnicity, whites (50%) were most in support of banning all interactive devices for drivers of cars in motion. This compares to 41% of Asians, 40% of African-Americans, and 38% of Latinos.

By area

Respondents in rural areas (57%) were most likely to strongly or somewhat agree with the statement, while those in urban areas (43%) were least likely, with those in suburbia (48%) coming in between.

Income and education

On the other hand, income and education had relatively little association with variance in believing that all interactive devices for drivers should be banned from cars in motion.

For those with household incomes of less than $75,000, 48% percent somewhat or strongly agreed, compared with 47% of those from households with $75,000 or more.

And in regard to education, 49% of people with some college education or less agreed somewhat or strongly, compared to 45% of those with a college education or more.

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January 30, 2018