PASSENGER VEHICLE DRIVER CELL PHONE USE: RESULTS FROM THE FALL 2000 NATIONAL OCCUPANT PROTECTION USE SURVEY

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's National Occupant Protection Use Survey (NOPUS) expanded its data collection protocols during October and November 2000 to obtain national estimates of driver cell phone use. The results of NOPUS field observations are reported in this Research Note. Nationally, overall hand-held cell phone use by drivers of passenger vehicles was estimated at 3%. The highest national use rates were observed for drivers of vans and sport utility vehicles. Cell phone use by drivers was higher on weekdays than on weekends. Overall cell phone use rates were slightly higher in suburban areas than in rural areas. Female drivers were observed using a cell phone more frequently than male drivers. Additional findings are reported, along with a description of the survey design and data collection procedures.