Women in Mississippi may be more likely than men to use their cellphones while driving according to a new study published in Risk Analysis: An International Journal. The research was conducted in South East Queensland, Australia.<\/p>\n
Around 25 percent of all car crashes in the U.S. involve cellphone use. In fact, statistics show that drivers who text behind the wheel are six times more likely to crash their vehicle, and drivers who talk on their cellphones are twice as likely to crash. However, many drivers still don’t believe that distracted driving is dangerous. The Australian study, which surveyed 447 drivers, found that 68 percent of participants admitted they were skeptical about the hazards of texting and driving. The study also found that separation anxiety and a fear of missing out pushed many drivers to risk using their phones while operating a vehicle.<\/p>\n
According to the study, certain people are more likely to be distracted drivers, including women and drivers who are overly attached to their cellphones. Drivers who are highly uninhibited and those who have a general disregard for safety are also more likely to become distracted behind the wheel. However, the study also found that difficult driving conditions and the presence of law enforcement officers tend to discourage people from engaging in distracted driving behaviors.<\/p>\n