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Annals of epidemiology
12, 2016;26 (12): 833-837.e1.

The association between handheld phone bans and the prevalence of handheld phone conversations among young drivers in the United States.

Motao Zhu, Toni M Rudisill, Steven Heeringa, David Swedler, Donald A Redelmeier
Author Information
  1. Motao Zhu: The Center for Injury Research and Policy, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH; Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Ohio State University, Columbus; Injury Control Research Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown. Electronic address: Motao.Zhu@NationwideChildrens.org.
  2. Toni M Rudisill: Injury Control Research Center, West Virginia University, Morgantown.
  3. Steven Heeringa: Survey Research Center, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
  4. David Swedler: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago.
  5. Donald A Redelmeier: Sunnybrook Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
PMID: 27894566 DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2016.10.002

Abstract

PURPOSE: Fourteen US states and the District of Columbia have banned handheld phone use for all drivers. We examined whether such legislation was associated with reduced handheld phone conversations among drivers aged younger than 25 years.
METHODS: Data from the 2008 to 2013 National Occupant Protection Use Survey were merged with states' legislation. The outcome was roadside-observed handheld phone conversation at stop signs or lights. Logistic regression was used.
RESULTS: A total of 32,784 young drivers were observed. Relative to drivers who were observed in states without a universal handheld phone ban, the adjusted odds ratio of phone conversation was 0.42 (95% confidence interval, 0.33-0.53) for drivers who were observed in states with bans. The relative reduction in phone conversation was 46% (23%, 61%) for laws that were effective less than 1 year, 55% (32%, 70%) for 1-2 years, 63% (51%, 72%) for 2 years or more, relative to no laws.
CONCLUSIONS: Universal handheld phone bans may be effective at reducing handheld phone use among young drivers.

Keywords

Adolescent Automobile driving Epidemiology Legislation

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Grants

  1. R01 AG050581/NIA NIH HHS
  2. R01 HD074594/NICHD NIH HHS
  3. R21 HD085122/NICHD NIH HHS
  4. R49CE002109/ACL HHS

MeSH Term

Adolescent
Adult
Automobile Driving
Cell Phone
Female
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Odds Ratio
Surveys and Questionnaires
United States
Young Adult
Journal Article Observational Study

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