Distracted driving: Direct observation of mobile phone use among motorised two-wheeler drivers in the rapidly motorising city of Hyderabad, India

Abstract

IntroductionMobile phone use in India is increasing exponentially, accompanied by rapid motorization. We estimated the factors influencing mobile phone use among motorised two-wheeler (MTW) drivers in the rapidly motorizing city of Hyderabad, India. MethodsUsing a proforma observation checklist, 15-min observations were conducted. The vehicle flow was video recorded during the entire duration for confirmation. Poisson regression (robust variance) was used to calculate prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% CI for the association between mobile phone use and various factors (the type of road, time of day, and week). ResultsMobile phone use among 11787 MTW drivers observed was 16.49% (95% CI 15.83%–17.17%), a majority in ‘hands-free’ mode. It was higher on weekends than weekdays (adjusted PR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.30 to 1.59); on Non-busy roads than Busy roads (PR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.29 to 1.58) and on Non-Peak hour than Peak-hour (PR = 1.29, 95% C I 1.16 to 1.43) after adjusting for other factors. ConclusionsType of road, day, and time were significant factors affecting mobile phone use among MTW in Hyderabad, it being almost one and half times higher on non-busy roads, non-peak time, and during weekends. These findings are especially important in a rapidly motorizing urban context. Penalties for both hand-held and hands-free mobile phone use must be included in the newly amended Motor Vehicle Act of India, with strict, consistent, and visible enforcement.