Are texting and calls indeed needed while driving

Texting and phone calls are considered as prominent types of driver distraction. All studies reviewed showed that actions involving texting significantly increase the risk of a crash. However, miscellaneous results about the safety implications of phone calls are reported. Answers of 757 Israeli respondents (57% males) to a web survey were analyzed to investigate: (1) patterns of texting and calling while driving, (2) drivers' view on the perceived risk and the need to text and call while driving, and (3) their willingness to use blocking apps which limit these smartphone usages. The results show that a high percentage of respondents use phone calls (73%, almost half do it at least frequently), and texting, illegal in Israel (35%, a quarter of them do so this continuously or frequently). We found high belief that texting compromises safety, however, this is not associated with low texting rates. Our analysis regarding the factors affecting the frequency of usage suggests that the main factor is the perceived need, while perceived safety had a non-significant effect for texting and a significant effect on phone calling. Almost half of the respondents are willing to try a blocking app regardless of the frequency of usage.