In 2008, nearly 6,000 people died and more than 500,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes (MVCs) resulting from distracted driving involving the use of cell phones, text messaging and similar hand-held electronic devices 1. Despite obvious safety issues, drivers continue to engage in this dangerous activity at an alarming rate. Exacerbating this rapidly growing public health problem is a lack of awareness, by drivers, as to the actual magnitude of their own susceptibility to distraction. Moreover, teenager drivers typically overestimate their ability to safely engage in distracting behaviors despite studies documenting that they themselves perceive distracted driving as a hazard for other drivers. 2-4 Underlying factors leading to overestimation of performance ability in distracted teen drivers remains unclear. However, the identification of such factors is critically important to the development of possible interventions that might help solve the distracted driving problem, especially among teens, the age group engaging in distracted driving more frequently than any other. 5 Primary Aim: To examine exposure and frequency of use of electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle as potential mechanisms underlying overestimation of distracted driving ability in a sample of novice, teen drivers Hypothesis 1: Early life exposure to cell phones and text messaging and frequent use of various hand-held electronic devices will be associated with an overestimation of distracted driving ability Hypothesis 2: There will be a direct, linear relationship between frequency of engagement in distracted driving and the sense of confidence drivers have in their ability to safely engage in driving distractions such as cell phone use, texting or use of other hand-held electronic devices Individual Differences in Perception of Distracted Driving Ability in Teenage Drivers Investigator: Despina Stavrinos, PhD Mentor: Russ Fine, PhD, MSPH UAB University Transportation Center This work was supported by Grant No. DTRT06-G-0048, US Department of Transportation, Research and Innovative Technology Administration to the UAB Injury Control Research Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham. Correspondence should be directed to the first author at the UAB University Transportation Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, rd Avenue South, CH-19, Suite 40, Birmingham, AL USA, or by at You may also visit for details on related research we are currently conducting. Background Results Preliminary data lend support to the hypothesis that perceived distracted driving ability is related to individual difference factors including previous experience with electronic devices and frequency of engagement in distracted driving. Previous research has established that novice drivers tend to overestimate their general driving ability. 6 However, the present study is among the first to provide evidence for the mechanisms underlying overestimation of ability within the context of distracted driving. That is, the earlier a teen begins using text messaging technology and the more frequently they engage in texting while driving, the more confident they are in their ability to safely handle this dangerous activity. Method References Conclusion 1. National Highway Traffic Safety and Administration [NHTSA]. (2009). Traffic Safety Facts. 2. Horrey, W.J., Lesch, M.F., & Garabet, A. (2008). Assessing the awareness of performance decrements in distracted drivers. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 40(2), Poysti, L., Rajalin, S., & Summala, H. (2005). Factors influencing the use of cellular (mobile) phone during driving and hazards while using it. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 37(1), Wogalter, M., & Mayhorn, C. (2005). Perceptions of driver distraction by cellular phone users and nonusers. Human Factors, 47(2), Walsh, S. P., White, K. M., Hyde, M. K., & Watson, B. C. (2008). Dialling and driving: Factors influencing intentions to use a mobile phone while driving. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 40(6), Summala, H. (1987). Young driver accidents: Risk taking or failure of skills?. Alcohol, Drugs and Driving, 3, Participants: Thirteen male adolescents participated* (ages , mean age = 17.19, SD = 0.75; 77% Caucasian). Average driving experience (since receiving a learner’s permit) was 1.84 years (SD = 0.84). *Data collection is currently underway, with current results representing approximately 30% of the total projected sample (n=44). A teen participant texting in the driving simulator Measures: Collected as part of a larger study examining teen driving safety, several distracted-driving related constructs were of interest in this investigation: Exposure and frequency of use of electronic devices: We assessed cell phone and text messaging exposure and usage through a self-report measure. Items measuring exposure included, “How old were you when you received your own cell phone?” and “How old were you when you began using text messaging on a cell phone?” Usage (in general) was measured by items such as “During an average day, how many times do you place a call on your cell phone?” and “During an average day, how many times do you send a text on your cell phone?” and (in the context of driving) “During an average day, how many times do you place a call on your cell phone while driving?” Perception of distracted driving ability: Participants were asked about their perception of distracted driving-related ability for a number driving scenarios on a 5-point Likert Scale (where “1” represented “much worse than others” and “5” represented “much better than others”). Example item: “When compared to others your age, how would you rate yourself on your ability to send texts while driving?” Aims Early Exposure and Perception of Distracted Driving Ability: Measure Age received first cell phone1 2. Age began text messaging 0.75**1 3. Perceived ability to talk while driving Perceived ability to text while driving-0.56* Mean (SD) (1.50) (1.44) 3.00 (0.82) 2.46 (0.97) Measure Minutes spent talking per day 1 2. Minutes spent talking while driving per day Number of texts sent per day Number of texts sent while driving per day 0.62* 0.79** 0.66*1 5. Perceived ability to talk while driving Perceived ability to text while driving ** * Mean (SD) (41.22) 1.15 (1.52) (95.97) (42.36) 3.00 (0.82) 2.46 (0.97) Frequency of Electronic Use and Perception of Distracted Driving Ability: Note. **p <.01; *p <.05. Based on current data it appears that: Adolescents who owned a cell phone at an earlier age, rated themselves as better at texting while driving, when compared to others the same age, with the same driving experience (r = -.56, p <.05). Adolescents who began text messaging at an earlier age, rated themselves as better at texting while driving, when compared to others the same age, with the same driving experience (r = -.45). Adolescents who spend more time in an average day talking on a cell phone while driving, rated themselves as better than their peers at texting while driving (r =.69, p <.01). Adolescents who send more text messages in an average day, rated themselves as better than their peers at texting while driving (r =.46). Adolescents who send more text messages in an average day while driving, rated themselves as better than their peers at texting while driving (r =.57, p <.05).