1. Running head: TEXTING AND DRIVING AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS 1
Texting and Driving among College Students
Hannah Reitenbach
Liberty University

2. Running head: TEXTING AND DRIVING AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS 2
Texting and Driving among College Students
Harrison, M.A. (2011). College students’ prevalence and perceptions of text messaging while
driving. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 43(4), 1516-1520.
The purpose of this study was to emphasis the role that texting has in our lives, and
therefore the prevalence of texting while driving, which is responsible for roughly 2,600
fatalities in the United States, and extreme danger while behind the wheel. It takes away one’s
attention to the road more than talking on a cell phone does. Young adults and adolescents are
more likely to take part in every day phone-use, begging the question, do they do so while
driving? There is a lot of research to support adolescents’ usage. This study seeks to quantify it
for college students and the dangers presented to those sharing the road with them. The study
was conducted from late 2009 into early 2010 at a mid-sized college with an abundance of
commuters in the northeastern United States. Researchers used 103 participants, 68 women and
35 men, to gather online information to assess their attitudes towards texting and driving.
Participants were unaware that they were specifically looking for attitudes on texting and
driving. The results of how many have ever texted while driving was 91.2%. While the majority
agreed that it is unsafe, it was a neutral response on whether or not they will continue to partake,
perhaps because the majority also have never experienced consequences, such as a ticket, injury,
or damaged vehicle. However, 54.9% claim to have drifted lanes and 61.1% have texted with
passengers. Overall, there is a significantly negative association between texting while driving
and reckless behavior. Since the majority of the college students’ do text and drive, stricter laws
should be enacted, and they should be more informed on the dangers of texting and driving.
I will include the following in my factsheet: “The majority of college students have or are
frequent text and drivers, even though they recognize the dangers of this activity.” This statement

3. Running head: TEXTING AND DRIVING AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS 3
makes it known that even this age group, who are often distracted and reckless, recognize the
dangers of their actions. It accurately lines up with the findings in the study, which found the
alarming number of college students who text and drive, and targets them specifically because it
only included their age group. This study uses strong social math to share the statistics of young
people who admit to various aspects of texting and driving, and their attitudes towards
everything behind this behavior.
Feldman, G., Greeson, J., Renna, M., Robbins-Monteith, K. (2011). Mindfulness predicts less
texting while driving among young adults: Examining attention- and emotion-regulation
motive as potential mediators. Personality and Individual Differences, 51(7), 856-861.
The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of how individual
mindfulness relates to texting and driving in young adults. Researchers sought to determine how
emotions regulated this reckless behavior. For example, emotion-regulation motives as a means
to reduce unpleasant emotions and attention-regulation motives which help people to focus on
experiences in the present time. The study showed a relation between those who show less
mindfulness and the frequency of texting and driving, and therefore seeks to express the
importance of developing interventions based on mindfulness in order to lessen the frequency of
texting and driving among young adults. The study was conducted in fall 2009 and spring 2010
at a small private women’s college in Massachusetts, where 231 women participated. The study
sought to test mindfulness, assessing them in their ability to focus on experiences in the present
time; the higher the score, the more mindful. They were asked how often they text and drive on a
four point scale, and questions to assess emotion-regulation motives, such as “When you are sad,
do you send a text as a distraction?” This resulted in 39% rarely texting while driving, 27.3%
sometimes, and 3.9% often. The results found a significant relation between those with greater

4. Running head: TEXTING AND DRIVING AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS 4
mindfulness and those who infrequently texted while driving based off of their emotion-based
responses, drawing the conclusion that mindfulness leads to more attentive drivers.
I will include the following in my factsheet: “One’s level of individual mindfulness plays
a role in their likelihood to text and drive among college students.” This reflects the results of
this study because it supports the research of how emotions play into one’s reckless behavior
while behind the wheel. As this study used only college students, it targeted them specifically to
see how they were most affected, therefore, the statement should reflect that. Social math was
not as pertinent in this study, however, this study shows the increase in texting driving due to this
association, so any statistics would include higher results.
Rudisill, T.M., Zhu, M. (2015). The association between states' texting regulations and the
prevalence of texting while driving among U.S. high school students. Annals of
Epidemiology, 25(12), 888-893.
The purpose of this study was to determine which laws of the road led to a decrease in
texting and driving among U.S. teenagers. In 2011, 45% of high school drivers claimed to have
texted while driving. As of November 2014, 37 states and D.C. have restricted phone use among
teenage drivers. Prior to this study, there was no information on the effectiveness of these laws,
so researchers sought to determine the relationship between texting and driving laws and the
occurrence of texting and driving among high school students in the United States to see just
how affective the state regulations are. In 2013 the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System
surveyed 6,216 students who had driven within the past 30 days and who lived somewhere where
phone use regulations applied. Participants were categorized into five groups depending on their
states’ texting and driving regulations. The results showed that roughly 39% of the students have

5. Running head: TEXTING AND DRIVING AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS 5
texted while driving at least once within the 30 days prior to the survey. Those states which held
a ban on texting while driving, or else gave repercussions for the offense, reported a lower
prevalence among the teenage participants, 28% lower, drawing the conclusion that states that
have enacted stricter regulations on texting and driving, specifically among teenagers, experience
a lower amount of teenagers practicing this reckless behavior.
I will include the following in my factsheet: “States that hold bans on texting and driving
will witness less texting and driving among U.S. teenagers at a 28% lower rate.” This is
essentially what this study was about, and supports the facts in that texting and driving among
teenagers occurs less frequently in these places in the United States. While it focused on high
school aged drivers, it is essentially setting the stage for actions they will carry with them to
college; college students can most likely follow this study and relate to actions they have, or still,
perform. The use of social math is accurately represented in this statement by including the
difference in prevalence of teenagers who text and drive.
Eaton, D.K., O’Malley-Olsen, E., Shultz, R.A. (2013). Texting While Driving and Other Risky
Motor Vehicle Behaviors Among US High School Students. AAP Publications, 131(6).
The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of U.S. teenagers and their habit of
texting and driving and this association with other reckless behavior while behind the wheel.
Adolescents up to 19 years old are three times more likely to get into a fatal crash, a big
contributor being that they are new to the road and inexperienced. It is believed that there are a
multitude of factors that are associated with texting while driving and not just the desire. Those
who frequently text and drive may have reported engaging in other forms of risky behavior, both
behind and not behind the wheel. The study took data from the CDC’s 2011 Youth Risk
Behavior Survey which surveyed 8,505 students across the nation. They were assessed on their

6. Running head: TEXTING AND DRIVING AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS 6
own texting and driving habits in the month before the survey, and they coded frequency into
dichotomous and polychotomous variables, assessing the relationship between texting and
driving with other reckless behaviors. The results were startling; those who frequently texted
while driving were more likely to ride without a seatbelt or even drink and drive. Those who
claim to have texted while driving on more than once occasion within this month was at 44.5%,
drawing the conclusion that about half of students over the age of 16 have texted while driving in
the surveyed month, which is easily an accurate representation of this behavior on a normal
basis. This group is more likely to place themselves or others at a higher risk for danger by
participating in varying forms of reckless behavior.
I will include the following in my factsheet: “Adolescents who practice texting and
driving, roughly half of 8,500 surveyed students, are more likely to engage in other reckless
behavior while behind the wheel.” This reflects the frequency of texting and driving among
young people and how strong of an issue it is in our society. While this study focused more on
high school students, these are behaviors that they could easily carry into college; it is setting the
stage for their future, and many college students can relate to this. This statement reflects the use
of social math in that it shares the amount of students who reportedly text and drive, and the
association between this and other risky behaviors.
Beck, K.H., Watters, S. (2016). Characteristics of college students who text while driving: Do
their perceptions of a significant other influence their decisions? Transportation Research
Part F: Traffic Psychology & Behaviour, 37, 119-128.
The purpose of this study was to determine how texting and driving is influenced through
social and normative factors, and to compare the characteristics among college students who
reportedly text and drive to those who do not. It was also important to view the characteristics of

7. Running head: TEXTING AND DRIVING AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS 7
those in their social circle. The reason behind this thinking is that social influence is at a very
high level among college-aged students, and the behaviors of those in their social circle tend to
have a strong influence on them. The researchers behind this study believe that those who text
and drive are more likely to believe that people in their social network share similar behaviors.
The study took place at a university in Washington D.C., between February and May 2014. The
sample consisted of 861 students who took an online survey that measured their driving
behaviors and their social network, to determine how texting was linked with other various forms
of reckless behavior or risk perceptions. They were also asked to describe the driving habits of
their friends and their “significant other.” The results showed that those who texted while driving
were more likely to perform other reckless driving behaviors, felt more invincible when it came
to risks on the road, and had friends who often texted while driving. Out of all of the questions
asked in regards to their social network, they were more likely to do this if they witnessed their
significant other doing so, drawing the conclusion that one’s significant others strongly affects
the behaviors of others behind the wheel.
I will include the following in my factsheet: “When it comes to texting and driving
college students are widely influenced by their social circle, and are more likely to text and drive
if they witness their significant other doing so. The results of this study support the findings in
this statement, that one’s social network plays an important role in everyday behavior such as
driving, and the risky behaviors they so often engage in. This study was made specifically for
college students in mind, to give them an accurate depiction of how other people their age are
influenced in driving behaviors.

8. Running head: TEXTING AND DRIVING AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS 8
Atchley, P., Atwood, S., Boulton, A. (2011). The choice to text and drive in younger drivers:
Behavior may shape attitude. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 43(1), 134-142.
The purpose of this study was to provide data on texting and driving among some of the
heaviest users, college-aged students and to try and determine why so many people engage in
texting while driving when the multitude of risks are so evident. The researchers wanted to
conduct a basic survey on the frequency of texting, but also on what some of the more common
topics of discussion tend to be. College students were a good target group because they tend to
oversee the potential for risk. This is also a group that often initiates text messages, even while
driving. A total of 401 undergraduate students in Laurence, Kansas, between the ages of 18 and
30, took part in an online questionnaire, asking a series of questions about their texting and
driving habits. The results showed that 70% of participants have ever initiated a text while
driving, and 92% have read a text message while driving, the most frequently reported behavior.
Passive texting behaviors, reading or replying to a message as opposed to sending one, occurs
more frequently. These findings are interesting because it seems that most people are aware of
the dangers of using a cell phone while driving, and the obvious distraction that it poses.
However, college students and younger adolescents tend to be at an age where they don’t feel as
susceptible, drawing the conclusion that college students and younger people are at the highest
risk for texting and driving, and therefore, accidents related to this behavior.
I will include the following in my factsheet: “There are a variety of factors that influence
texting and driving among college students, and they are more or less likely to engage in passive
texting as opposed to active texting while behind the wheel.” This study gathered a lot of
information on student’s tendencies to initiate or respond to a text while driving and received
surprisingly different results between the two. There was a large age range for the participants,

9. Running head: TEXTING AND DRIVING AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS 9
but all were considered college undergraduate students. This study should be very eye-opening
and informative to other college students, as they are the main target group.
Aiello, J., Corbett, K., Park, A., Salsbury, J. (2013). The Effects of Text Messaging during Dual
Task Driving Simulation on cardiovascular and Respiratory Responses and Reaction
Time: The Ohio Journal of Science, 111(2-5), 42-44.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of cell phone use, specifically texting
and driving, as a distraction behind the wheel. It messes up the driver’s perception, decreases
memory, slows down their reaction time, and impairs their driving overall. It increases time
spent not looking at the road by almost 400%. Cell phone use has such a strong effect on the
body, including stress, and those effects are still prominent while driving, which is a dangerous
place to be under that kind of stress. This study sought to affirm that texting is a major
distraction and mentally demanding. The study took place in 2013 at Ohio Northern University,
consisting of 40 participants between the ages of 18 and 22 who used their cell phones daily.
Each sat in front of stoplight monitor, instructed to click a computer mouse whenever the light
changed from red to green, then put their forearms down on the table. Five trials occurred for
each person for this Single Task Reaction Test. For the Dual Task Reaction Test, each person
had their arms rested as before, holding their phone, with the same stoplight and a piece of paper
asking questions on the computer screen. They were tested by trying to answer as many
questions as possible while keeping focus on their phones. The results showed that reaction times
were significantly higher when participants performed the dual tasks. Cognitive workload is
much more strained when they are told to do multiple things at the same time, drawing the

10. Running head: TEXTING AND DRIVING AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS 10
conclusion that dual tasks, specifically texting while driving, is a major distraction and very
dangerous for us to partake in.
I will include the following in my factsheet: “Dual tasks, such as texting and driving, are
major distractions for college students, and should be avoided.” This study used different types
of tests to demonstrate how tasks such as driving are altered from dual tasking, and how this is
more imperative than single tasks. College students are targeted specifically because the
participants were all college-aged, so the results were based on these findings; this should make
college students feel particularly susceptible because they share many similarities among each
other. Social math is not as prominently used in this study to express the severity of dual tasking.
Hayashi, Y., Russo, C.T., Wirth, O. (2015). Texting while driving as impulsive choice: A
behavioral economic analysis. Accident Analysis & Prevention, 83, 182-189.
The purpose of this study was to identify the role of delay discounting in individuals who
text and drive or do not text and drive. There have been many personality traits that can lead to it
such as the personality trait that refers to the tendency to act impulsively when something
negative occurs. One’s attitudes, subjective norms, perceived control, reference group norms,
and morality norms can predict this behavior. Texting while driving may be described as a
tendency to make impulsive choices. This study used “delay discounting,” which refers to one’s
preference for small immediate rewards instead of larger delayed rewards. It can provide insight
to one’s decision making, and in this case, in texting while driving. The study took place in 2011
at state university in northeastern United States; 147 undergraduates participated. One group was
the “texting while driving” group and another was the “non-texting while driving” group. Their
ages and various other demographic characteristics were recorded. Each person was asked to
choose between hypothetical amounts of money - $800 now or $1,000 in two weeks. Results

11. Running head: TEXTING AND DRIVING AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS 11
showed that the texting while driving group chose the discounted delayed rewards much more
than the non-texting while driving group, which also demonstrates a link in the impulsivity trait
that so often plays a role in people who text and drive. These results draw the conclusion that
those who tend to be have a more impulsive personality have a higher tendency to act more
impulsively, proven by the delay discounting system, to determine texting and driving frequency.
I will include the following in my factsheet: “The delayed discounting system is a good
way to monitor the frequency of texting while driving among college students.” The main idea
used in this study is the delayed discounting, using hypothetical amounts of money to tests
students’ impulsivity in behaviors such as texting and driving. It demonstrated the frequency of
texting and driving among college students who have proven to be more impulsive. This study
included participants getting their undergraduate degree; it specifically targeted this age group,
one that tends to be impulsive already.