Cell Phone Use and Crash Patterns Among Michigan Drivers

Cell phone use poses a significant source of driver distraction. Talking on either hand-held or hands-free devices, as well as receiving or sending text messages, diverts a driver’s attention and impairs their ability to drive safely. Though there is no comprehensive statewide law prohibiting the use of cell phones, Michigan is one of 30 states in the country with a ban on text messaging for all drivers operating a motor vehicle. This study estimated the statewide rate of cell phone use among Michigan drivers through a direct observation roadside survey performed during June 2010. The statewide cell phone use rate among drivers was estimated at 7.7 percent, an increase from the 5.9 percent use rate during the most recent statewide survey conducted in 2005. Cell phone use was found to be higher among drivers who were African American, female, less than 30 years of age, unbelted, or driving sport utility vehicles. The survey results are supplemented through analysis of police reported crash data from 2006 to 2009, which showed cell phone involved crashes to be more frequent among these same groups of drivers.