New Study Finds That Despite Warnings, Many New York Drivers Still “Driving While Distracted”

 

Hunter College Study Finds 33 percent of NYC Drivers Not Only Distracted by Cell Phones, But Also by Smoking, Eating, Drinking, and Grooming

Date: Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Contact: Meredith Halpern (meredith.halpern@hunter.cuny.edu)
Phone: (212) 772-4070

(New York, NY) – A new study released today found that 33 percent of New York City drivers are driving while distracted, either by cell phones, smoking, eating, drinking or grooming, according to a study directed by Hunter College Sociology Professor Peter Tuckel.

 

According to the study, cell phone use was the most common distraction.  More than one-fifth, 23 percent, of drivers who were observed were talking on cell phones, and of those, half were using hand-held cell phones, which is illegal. Another 10 percent of drivers observed were not using cell phones but were smoking, eating, drinking, and grooming.  Drivers were observed in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx.

 

Professor Tuckel collaborated with Hunter students in his Introduction to Research Methods course to observe 3,120 drivers at 50 different intersections in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx from October 1-24, 2007, making this the largest pool of drivers observed than in previous studies on driving behavior conducted by Hunter.

 

“Over the past several years cars have been equipped with additional safety features, yet drivers are becoming more distracted,” said Professor Tuckel. “It appears that these technological gains are being offset by the risky driving behavior of motorists who are perhaps lulled into a false sense of security by the introduction of these technologies.”

 

Another major finding is that drivers who use a cell phone are more likely to engage in other distractions than non-cell phone drivers.  This finding accords with other empirical studies previously carried out by Hunter College students showing that drivers who talk on cell phones are also less likely to wear a seat belt than their counterparts who do not talk on a cell phone. According to the study, it seems that cell phone-motorists have a greater propensity to take risks while driving than drivers who do not use cell phones.

 

Specifically, Professor Tuckel and his team of researchers found that distracted drivers were not only talking on their cell phones, but were also distracted by eating hamburgers and French fries, drinking coffee or soda, applying makeup, and smoking.

 

Smoking was the most widely observed distracting activity after cell phone use. Close to 6 percent of motorists were found to be smoking while driving. According to Tuckel, the relatively high prevalence of smoking may be due to the fact that this activity is being increasingly curtailed in a number of different areas.  The car now is a place of refuge in which smoking has not been outlawed.

 

The study also found that women drivers are more likely to be using a cell phone – whether it is hands-free or wireless.  One possible explanation for this finding may be rooted in the multiple roles occupied by women.  “In addition to their work-related responsibilities, women play a disproportionately large role in managing household affairs and child-rearing which could account for greater cell phone usage,” said Tuckel.

 

“It is clear that the car has become an extension of the home and office,” said Tuckel.  “For many, the car is now a communications center and a place to eat.  Many drivers think they can multi-task in the car, but that is not the case in these dense city streets.  There is only one thing they should be focusing on, and that is driving.”

About Hunter
With a highly diverse student population of more than 20,000, Hunter is the largest college in the City University of New York (CUNY) system and the first choice among all CUNY applicants. Founded in 1870, the College offers more than 170 undergraduate and graduate programs. Hunter is noted for its professional schools in education, health sciences, nursing and social work, as well as its excellence in the liberal arts. Heralded as the "Crown Jewel of CUNY" by The Princeton Review, Hunter College has a distinguished reputation for nurturing talented minority scientists and meeting the challenge of providing high-quality science education in the 21st century. The College also oversees the Hunter College Campus Schools serving gifted and talented students, preschool through grade 12. For more information about Hunter College, please visit our Web site at http://www.hunter.cuny.edu.

Back to Top