Mobile phones and vehicles, the risk is real and understood but drivers continue to combine the two when driving. Why is that? Does it vary between work and no-work related driving and if so, why?

Reserach is being conducted by Griffith Univeristy student Alexandra Micski and under the supervision of Dr Darren Wishart to explore these questions and more. The research is being conducted because using a mobile phone while driving is an important concern for road safety due to the substantial crash risk caused by distraction and inattention to the driving task.

We therefore invite current open or P2 Australian driver’s license to partake in the research.

What you will be asked to do

Participants will be asked to fill out a self-report questionnaire which will take approximately 20 minutes to complete. The questionnaire will measure information regarding individual mobile phone use behaviours including reading and sending text messages, checking Facebook and hand-held and hands-free calls while driving.

Survey details should you need to paste them into your URL

https://prodsurvey.rcs.griffith.edu.au/prodls200/index.php/272652?lang=en

The expected benefits of the research

The findings of this research will increase our understanding of the factors that influence an individual’s decision to use a mobile phone while driving in different contexts, which will benefit the current knowledge of road safety. Specifically, it will create a better understanding of how family and friends can influence a significant others driver behaviour. The research will also contribute to understanding how time pressure influences mobile phone use while driving and may assist in reducing risk-provoking behaviours.

Risks to you

The risks associated with participation in the research project are minimal and are no greater than those ordinarily encountered in daily life. As all information will be collected in an anonymous form, there is minimal foreseeable risk to participants. Please do not write your name or any other identifying information in this survey.

Your confidentiality

Data will be collected in an anonymous form. The researchers will not be able to match survey responses to individual participants as no names of participants are being collected with the survey data. This ensures all data will be presented in research publications in a way that will not identify individual participants or allow third parties to identify individuals.

Data storage and deletion

All research data will be stored in a data set on SPSS and both research members will have control of access to that data. All research data including survey responses and analysis will be retained in a password protected electronic file at Griffith University for a period of five years before being destroyed.

Your participation is voluntary

Participants decision to partake in the study who are Griffith University students will in no way impact upon their relationship with the University. Participants decision to partake in the study who are employees driving for work across various government and non-government organisations will in no way impact upon their relationship with their organisation. All participants are free to withdraw from the study at any time.

Questions / further information

Participants are welcome to contact the members of the research team, Dr Darren Wishart and Alexandra Micski for additional information about the project. A contact phone number and email addresses are presented on the first page of the information sheet.

The ethical conduct of this research

Griffith University conducts research in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research.  If potential participants have any concerns or complaints about the ethical conduct of the research project they should contact the Manager, Research Ethics on 3735 4375 or [email protected].

Feedback to you

The overall findings and results of the research will be reported in an academic thesis and through a journal paper. A summary of these results will be made available to participants and disseminated through known networks associated with recruitment. Participants can also obtain a summary of results by contacting the researchers after November.

Completion of this survey will be taken as your consent to participate in the research.

Who is conducting the research Senior Investigator: Dr Darren Wishart

Member of the research team: Alexandra Micski

Griffith University Mt Gravatt

Contact Phone: 37351206

Contact Email: [email protected], [email protected]

GU ref no: 2019/288

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