Using a mobile phone while driving has negative effects on driving behaviour. This is the case for conducting a conversation, dialling a number, and sending text messages as well as for using the extra functions that smartphones offer, like accessing internet or social networking sites. The negative effects of mobile phone use are not only due to physical, visual and auditory distraction stemming from operating the phone and the vehicle at the same time, but also because drivers have to divide their attention between using the phone and driving (cognitive distraction). As also cognitive distraction poses a danger, hands-free phone use has no notable safety advantages compared to hand-held use. However, a total prohibition of mobile phone use by drivers is not realistic. For this reason, only hand-held use is forbidden in many countries. Besides legislation, technical measures, information and education can enhance responsible use of the mobile phone.

Summary

Using a mobile phone while driving has negative effects on driving behaviour. This is the case for conducting a conversation, dialling a number, and sending text messages as well as for using the extra functions that smartphones offer, like accessing internet or social networking sites. The negative effects of mobile phone use are not only due to physical, visual and auditory distraction stemming from operating the phone and the vehicle at the same time, but also because drivers have to divide their attention between using the phone and driving (cognitive distraction). As also cognitive distraction poses a danger, hands-free phone use has no notable safety advantages compared to hand-held use. However, a total prohibition of mobile phone use by drivers is not realistic. For this reason, only handheld use is forbidden in many countries. Besides legislation, technical measures, information and education can enhance responsible use of the mobile phone.

Background and content

The rapid growth of the possession and use of mobile phones in recent years, has generated a wide interest in safety issues like distraction while driving (see also SWOV Fact sheet Attention problems behind the wheel)  The fact that many drivers own and use a mobile phone has raised concerns among scientists, the media, and policymakers. The early mobile phones had only a call function, but the modern smartphones have more and more functions, e.g. text messaging, e-mail, internet use, that may distract the driver.

This fact sheet describes the reasons why it is hazardous to use a phone in the car, discusses the effect on the crash risk,  and discusses the possible measures and the effectiveness of legal prohibition. This fact sheet will only look into the use of mobile phones by drivers. Information about the use of mobile phones by cyclists and pedestrians and its consequences can be found in the SWOV fact sheet Use of media devices by cyclists and pedestrians.
In which ways can a mobile phone distract the driver? Mobile phone use can distract drivers in various ways:

  1. visually, such as by looking at a screen instead of at the road;
  2. auditory distraction, when focusing on sounds like, for instance, a ringtone, so that fewer environmental sounds can reach the road user;
  3. bio-mechanically/physically, such as when a mobile phone is operated manually;
  4. cognitively, when the driver is thinking about something (about the conversation he/she is conducting, for instance) not related to the driving task.

As the examples show, the use of a mobile phone while driving involves all these types of distraction. Cognitive and auditory distraction mainly occur during the actual conversation. Text messaging and accessing the internet or e-mail cause cognitive, physical and visual distraction.

Which effects does the use of mobile phones have on performing the driving task? Various (review) studies have investigated the behavioural effect of the use of a mobile phone while driving (Basacik, Reed & Robbins, 2011; Collet, Guillot & Petit, 2010a; 2010b; Stelling-Konczak & Hagenzieker, 2012). These studies indicate the following negative effects:

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