Distracted driving: Direct observation of mobile phone use among motorised two-wheeler drivers in the rapidly motorising city of Hyderabad, India

Abstract

Introduction: Mobile phone use in India is increasing exponentially, accompanied by rapid motorization. We estimated the factors influencing mobile phone use among motorised two-wheeler (MTW) drivers in the rapidly motorizing city of Hyderabad, India. Methods: Using a proforma observation checklist, 15-min observations were conducted. The vehicle flow was video recorded during the entire duration for confirmation. Poisson regression (robust variance) was used to calculate prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% CI for the association between mobile phone use and various factors (the type of road, time of day, and week). Results: Mobile phone use among 11787 MTW drivers observed was 16.49% (95% CI 15.83%–17.17%), a majority in ‘hands-free’ mode. It was higher on weekends than weekdays (adjusted PR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.30 to 1.59); on Non-busy roads than Busy roads (PR = 1.43, 95% CI 1.29 to 1.58) and on Non-Peak hour than Peak-hour (PR = 1.29, 95% C I 1.16 to 1.43) after adjusting for other factors. Conclusions: Type of road, day, and time were significant factors affecting mobile phone use among MTW in Hyderabad, it being almost one and half times higher on non-busy roads, non-peak time, and during weekends. These findings are especially important in a rapidly motorizing urban context. Penalties for both hand-held and hands-free mobile phone use must be included in the newly amended Motor Vehicle Act of India, with strict, consistent, and visible enforcement.

Keywords

• Road traffic injury
• Distracted driving
• Mobile phone use
• Motorised two-wheelers
• Hyderabad
• India