Effects of mobile phone using on driving behavior and risk of traffic accidents

Abstract

In this study, a questionnaire was made to find out the behavior of drivers towards the use of the mobile phone while driving, therefore representative samples were taken from different regions of Irbid Governorate, which included the Department of Vehicle Licensing, universities and commercial centers. As a result of the research, it was found that the most important factor that affects driver's behavior is the purpose of their mobile phone use whether making calls, sending text messages, or even browsing social media applications, secondly, the drivers' reaction to incoming calls whether receiving or ignoring calls. Or parking aside to respond, third comes the driver's history of traffic violations or previous traffic accidents. It was also concluded that about 22% of respondents who frequently use cellphones while driving, take calls while they drive, in comparison with just 1% of them who rarely use mobile phones while driving or just take calls for emergency, on the other hand a large percentage of 89% of respondents who always use their cellphones while driving use all of the means of taking or making calls, texting or browsing social media while driving, in comparison with 1% and 5% of them who never or rarely use cellphone while driving respectively. Furthermore, and according to the results of respondents with previous violations or tickets, it was found that people who never use cellphones while driving contribute in nearly no violations if compared to people who always use their phones who seem to commit many types of violations such as speed violations, red light crossing, double parking, cellphone using while driving tickets or even traffic accidents.