Tracking research highlights the dangers of cell phone use among teen drivers

A new studyconducted by a group of researchers led by Penn Nursing and Perelman School of Medicine, found a strong link between cell phone use and risky driving behavior among newly licensed teen drivers. The study, which was first published online in JAMA network openedused a smartphone telematics application to track the driving behavior of hundreds of teenagers and identify potential safety risks.

The study found that teens who used their cell phones while driving were significantly more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors such as hard braking and rapid acceleration. This behavior can increase the risk of accidents and injuries.

“This study provides further evidence of the dangers of cell phone 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; Chairman of Penn Nursing’s Department of Family and Community Health; and co-director of the Penn Injury Science Center. “It is critical that teens and their parents are aware of the risks and take steps to avoid using their phones while driving.”

The researchers used a smartphone telematics application to track the driving behavior of 119 teenage drivers over a 60-day period. These teens had been licensed for less than a year. They analyzed data on trip characteristics, speeding, mobile phone use and risky driving events.

The study found that handheld mobile phones were used on more than 1/3 of rides and that more than 40% of rides involved speeding. Cell phone use and speeding were also associated with kinematic risky driving events.

“Smartphone telematics applications provide a valuable tool for studying driver behavior and developing interventions to improve safety,” McDonald said. “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 cell phone use 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 cell phone use while driving.