Texas A&M Health Science Center Online Study of Student Behavior in Texting and Driving

Participants: 500 students (age 19-42; average age 24) from Texas A&M Health Science Center including Pharmacy, Medical, Nursing, Public Health, and Dentistry were surveyed. 58% Female and 42% Male

Purpose: Not one published study exists that has sought to understand the behaviors behind texting and driving. As inter-professional medical, dental, pharmacy, nursing, public health, and biomedical science students at Texas A&M Health Science Center, we can change that knowledge void. There are 38 questions in this online anonymous survey.

Major Results:
2 texts sent each time drive (maximum 11 texts)
3 texts read each time drive (maximum 15 texts)
1 email each time drive
2 emails each time drive
5 car trips per day
4 miles per/trip
Total 10 texts sent per day over 20 miles
Total 15 texts read per day over 20 miles
5 seconds to read each text (16% said > 10 seconds)
11 seconds to send text (21% said > 15 seconds)
Total 10 texts sent X 11 seconds = Minimum 110 seconds distracted
Total 15 texts read x 5 seconds = Minimum 75 seconds distracted

Nature of Text:
88% Social
7% School
3 % Emergency
2 % Business

Do you think it is improper etiquette to Text
68% Yes
32% No

Have you been directly told by family, friends, law inforcement to not text and drive?
48% Yes
52% No

Have you been in an auto accident because of texting and driving?
15 said yes (4 said two or more accidents)

Do you believe you are distracted while texting?
80% Yes
20% No

Do you think texting increases your chances of an accident?
96% Yes
4% No

How often are both hands off the wheel when texting and driving?
20% said occasionally to almost always

Have public service announcements concerning texting and driving affected you?
Only 20% said have stopped texting

Have laws affected you concerning texting and driving?
Only 27% said have stopped texting

Why do you text and drive?
To get directions
To be polite and let someone know I am running late
To control conversation
To be courteous and return message