Tracking study highlights dangers of handheld cellphone use among teen drivers

A new study, conducted by a group of researchers led by Penn Nursing and Perelman School of Medicine found a strong association between handheld cellphone use and risky driving behaviors among newly licensed teen drivers. The study, published online first in JAMA Network Open, used a smartphone telematics application to track the driving habits of hundreds of teens and identify potential safety risks.

The investigation found that teens who used their cellphones while driving were significantly more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors, such as hard braking and rapid acceleration. These behaviors can increase the risk of accidents and injuries.

“This study provides further evidence of the dangers of handheld cellphone use while driving,” said lead-author Catherine C. McDonald, Ph.D., RN, FAAN, the Dr. Hildegarde Reynolds Endowed Term Chair of Primary Care Nursing; Professor of Nursing; Chair of Penn Nursing’s Department of Family and Community Health; and Co-director of the Penn Injury Science Center. “It’s crucial for teens and their parents to be aware of the risks and to take steps to avoid using their phones while driving.”

The researchers used a smartphone telematics application to track the driving habits of 119 teen drivers over a period of 60 days. These teens were licensed for less than one year. They analyzed data on trip characteristics, speeding, handheld cellphone use, and risky driving events.

The study found that over 1/3 of trips had handheld cellphones and speeding occurred in over 40% of trips. Handheld cellphone use and speeding was also associated with kinematic risky driving events.

“Smartphone telematics applications provide a valuable tool for studying driving behavior and for developing interventions to improve safety,” said McDonald. “By identifying risky behaviors, we can develop targeted interventions to help teens become safer drivers.”

The researchers recommend that teens and their parents develop strategies to avoid using cellphones while driving, such as putting their phones out of reach or using hands-free devices. They also encourage parents to talk to their teens about the dangers of distracted driving and to set a good example by avoiding cellphone use while driving themselves.