Driver distraction is involved in the majority of car crashes in the United States. One of the main sources of distraction while driving is checking for or sending online messages.
In our transportation study we asked respondents whether it is dangerous to send or check online messages (e.g., text, e-mail, social media) while driving. The correct answer is clearly YES. Nevertheless, only 73% of respondents strongly agreed.
Those strongly agreeing varied by age. Of those aged 19-35 (the Millennial generation), 65% strongly agreed that it is dangerous to send or check online messages while driving. For older folks, those aged 36 and above, 77% strongly agreed.
Females (78%) were more likely to strongly agree than males (68%).
Mothers (75%) were more likely to strongly agree than fathers (65%).
Women without children (81%) were more likely to strongly agree that it is dangerous to check or send online messages while driving than males without children (69%).
Parents with (only) teen-agers aged 13-17 (79%) were more likely to strongly agree than were parents with (only) pre-teen/elementary school students aged 7-12 (72%) and parents with (only) children aged six or less (61%). Perhaps those with younger children have not yet fully experienced the mighty pull that online technologies can have on the young.
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September 10, 2018