“Can’t Drive, I’m Texting” Mobile phone use while driving, the perceived apprehension chance, and the Monocam

Abstract

Mobile phone use while driving (MPWD) is dangerous and one of the leading causes of traffic collisions in the Netherlands. Recently, a promising intervention was implemented that is the Monocam, a ‘smart’ camera which detects drivers using their phone. The goal of the Monocam is to make individuals estimate the chance of apprehension to be higher, which should deter driver’s from MPWD. The aim of this study was to increase drivers’ perceived apprehension chance (PAC) and reduce their intention to engage in MPWD. This was done in the form of an experimental study where one group was shown a social media post from the police about the effectiveness of the Monocam. The control group did not read this post. No significant difference in the PAC and the intention to engage in MPWD was found between the experimental and control group. An explanation could be that persuasive nature of the post caused reactance. It is also possible that respondents did not trust the information in the post, because it was fictitious. Furthermore, there was no significant correlation between the PAC and the intention to engage in MPWD. An explanation could be the influence of past apprehensions on drivers’ PAC and MPWD. Further research should take into account past apprehensions as an influential factor. This study contributes to the current body of knowledge on MPWD, the PAC, and the Monocam. Future research is recommended to continue to investigate intervention methods for MPWD with the larger aim to improve road safety.