Mobile phone use intention while driving among public service vehicle drivers: Magnitude and its social and cognitive determinants.

Temesgen Demissie Eijigu,Feng Chen

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0251007

Abstract

Despite its risks for accident and illegality, little is known about the magnitude and associated social and cognitive factors that motivate drivers to use mobile phone while driving. The present study, guided by theory of planned behavior, aimed at describing the magnitude of mobile use while driving and examining the role of attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and risk perceptions in predicting drivers' intentions to use mobile phone while driving. A total of 155 public service vehicle drivers, who were selected from Debre Markos Town and its vehicle terminal took part in the study. To select study participants, systematic random sampling technique was employed. The instrument used to collect data was self-report questionnaire. The results indicated that more than two-third (69%) of the participants used their mobile phone while driving over the past week. Hierarchical regression analysis displayed that perceived behavioral control, risk perception, and attitude were found to be the most significant social and cognitive predictors of public service vehicle drivers' intention to use mobile phone while driving, but not age and subjective norm variables. So as to reduce drivers' intention to use mobile phone while driving, intervention strategies should focus on enhancing their confidence to avoid this behavior; alerting drivers to the traffic control regulation and the dangers of using mobile phones while driving.

Highlights

Background of the studyRoad traffic accidents cause about 1.24 million people death and 20 to 50 million people injury annually over the world roads [1]
Mobile phone use intention while driving among public service vehicle drivers this study aimed to describe the magnitude of mobile use while driving and to explore the roles of social and cognitive factors on decision to use mobile phone while driving
The Ethiopian government has banned mobile phone use while driving since 2011, the magnitude of mobile phone use while driving was quite high among public service vehicle drivers in Debre Markos town and its vicinity which may have a potential risk to themselves, passengers and pedestrians

Summary

Introduction

Road traffic accidents cause about 1.24 million people death and 20 to 50 million people injury annually over the world roads [1]. Of such deaths, 92% occur in low and middle income countries that have about 53% of the world’s vehicles. It has been reported that Ethiopia has one of the highest rates of road traffic fatalities per vehicle in the world. In 2007/8, 95 road traffic deaths per 10000 vehicles were registered [2]. Due to rapid population growth, increasing number of vehicles, poor road users’ attitude and poor safety culture, there would.

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