Texting and Driving: Perceptions and Video Game Simulation Among College Students -

Abstract

A video game simulation was used to measure the effect texting has on college students’ (N = 35) driving impairment. Perceptions of texting and driving were also measured. The use of text messaging while driving was predicted to greatly increase the number of simulated driving infractions. An overall negative view of texting and driving was expected, and participants in the texting condition were predicted to have a significantly stronger negative perception of texting and driving. Results revealed that texting while driving negatively impacted simulated driving performance. Participants committed nearly 10 times as many traffic infractions while engaged in a texting conversation compared to participants who drove the simulation without the use of a hand held texting device. In conclusion, texting significantly impairs driving ability, and greater efforts should be made to regulate the use of cellular communication devices while driving a motor vehicle.