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 ACADEMIC ENGLISH
MOBILE PHONE USAGE WHILE DRIVING

NAME: BARIA EL-MONLA

STUDENT NUMBER: 19005166
GROUP: Ronya Houchar, Molly Brennan
TEACHERS NAME: SYED ZAIDI
WORD LENGTH: 1885
 Contents Page Number
Abstract 2

Introduction 3

Methodology 5

Results 6

Comments 8

Discussion/Conclusion 9

Reference List 10

Appendix 11

1|Page
ABSTRACT:
Mobile phone usage whilst driving has been a huge distraction, through undertaking simple

messages or either navigating a location. However, these types of distractions have caused

tragic deaths to young and old. Research report being investigated on mobile phone usage

while driving is being investigated upon 18-25 years of young youths to demonstrate the

cause and effects of mobile usage whilst driving and to depict whether young youths are

aware of the ramifications being displayed. Based on the results that are obtained it reveals

that individuals are aware about the dangers involved and are still willing to undertake these

behaviours. The various forms of the implementations imposed by the government are

focusing on young drivers that intend to use mobile phones while driving. To understand the

reason why young drivers are ignoring the ramifications and awareness being spread is due to

young drivers declaring that the implications are not effective and advertisements are not

useful. This research report will discuss the purpose of this study, provide previous research

based on the topic, provide a methodology undertaken by the group and finally display the

results and discussion based on the research of mobile phone usage while driving.

2|Page
INTRODUCTION:
In contemporary society, technological developments have dominated our lives. Technology

has impacted people in every possible way. For instance, interacting individually and socially

is heavily influenced by technology because people use various technological devices to

facilitate their communication. In other words, it may be argued that people have become

dependent on technology. One example of how technology has become a significant part of

people’s lives is their dependence on mobiles phones. What is of interest is the incidence of

mobile usage while driving. The reason for such interest is the possible dangers that using

mobiles while driving brings. It is a well-known fact that people cannot maintain their level

of attention to driving if they use mobile at the same time. And yet individuals continue to

use mobile phones to an extent which endangers their lives. This is why laws are in place for

drivers’ safety and protection. However, people continue to ignore them, and are willing to

text, make calls, check notifications and access social media. This is evident based on the

previous research that have conducted that ‘An Australian study reported that among 2400

driving related incidents, in New South Wales, young drivers had the highest frequency of

mobile phone use-related injurious crashes’ (Haque & Washington 2013) It is understood that

the priority issues in road safety are due to the lack of awareness and deteriorated

performance, which is evident from drivers that intend to use mobile phones while driving. A

recent study represented that ‘An estimated 9% of all persons who drive during the day do so

while dialling or talking on a cell phone or sending or receiving text messages. (Sheila, G &

others 2014). In the recent research, the research gap provided has not proven whether it is

young or old people that use mobile phones while driving whereas the Haque & Washington

illustrates “young drivers” throughout the research this depicts this report is specifically

based on young people. An additional research based on young adolescents are getting

influenced in distracting driving behaviour (DDB). It is specified that ‘92% of adolescents

3|Page
reported regularly engaged in DDB. Adolescents perceived that their parents and peers

participated in DDB more frequently than themselves’. (Patrick, M & others 2014). This is

interpreting towards the readers that getting distracted on the road is a highly-embedded

behaviour that individuals intend to risk while driving. The purpose of this research report

would elaborate understanding by what method young adolescents would interpret the usage

of mobile phones while driving. Throughout this research report, the hypothesis has been

assumed to be focused on P platers specifically years 18 to 25 are more willing to become

prone to distractions and accidents, with the largest distraction being mobile phone usage

while driving.

Research Questions
How has the awareness of the effects of mobile phone usage while driving increased from P

platers between the years of 18 to 25?

What causes young P platers specifically between the years of 18 to 25 to be distracted easily

from the usage of mobile phone while driving?

4|Page
METHODOLOGY:
In order to carry out the research project, a methodology was used to identify the thoughts,

feelings and situations that people were experiencing towards mobile usage whilst driving.

The instrument designed for the present research was used to investigate the hypothesis. It

was based on qualitative and quantitative methodological considerations in order to make this

study valid and multi-dimensional. In all, 44 participants were surveyed to increase the

validity profile of this study. This primary research method included the sampling technique

of quota which best suits the project as it states the prerequisites for who is included in the

research. The sample group had been an age bracket of young adolescents between the ages

of 18 – 25. The respondents located the questionnaire online through “Survey planet” which

had been first distributed on the 16th of April 2017 and collected on the 21st April 2017. The

questionnaire had also been randomly distributed to men, women and other to gather local

findings. In respect to the participants, a privacy code has been enforced where the names of

the participants are not included and are “anonymous”. This guideline also avoids bias and

ethics will be handled, in order to achieve the most accurate information. The data analysis

had been displayed through pie charts, however the open ended questions had been

categorised through the most popular results.

5|Page
RESULTS:

6|Page
7|Page
COMMENT:
The graphs presented above display the findings gathered from the respondents who

contributed with the research report. The results primarily show that the participants are

more likely to use their mobile phones while driving, however believing that they understand

the consequences and dangers whilst doing so. Although many believe they understand the

ramifications still 39.9% of participants sometimes check their phones and 29.9% frequently

check their phones. However, 72.1% of these same participants stated that they believed the

dangerous and hazards of using their mobile phones while driving, this contradicts the

statements as individuals have stated that they’re aware yet majority use their phones. These

findings convey the risk factors and hazards that 18 – 25-year-old P platers take whilst

driving, even though they claim to understand the complete ramifications and risks of it. The

overwhelming majority of respondents would consider using a Bluetooth or hands free device

while driving, but aren’t able to access one until their gain their full licence, as it’s currently

illegal for P platers. Campaigns and educational sources are an indication to raise awareness

for mobile phone usage while driving, however there are a minority of individuals who

believe that these sources do not need to be more effective. This links back to question 14

where participants have answered that they’re both unsure and don’t believe that talking to a

passenger is more dangerous than using a mobile phone. This highlights the lack of campaign

and educational sources that acknowledge the negative factors of using a mobile phone while

driving. The graphs we decided to include were the most relevant to the research conducted,

they provide an insight to the anomalies and contradiction made by P Plater drivers and

highlight the lack of awareness, education and foresight applied by them into their own

mobile phone usage while driving.

8|Page
DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION:
The study that is being conducted is being investigated and reflected upon mobile phone

usage while driving mainly addressed towards young people. Young people would normally

reveal distracted behaviour from making phone calls to accessing social media as youths are

aware of the sorts of implementations but intend to ignore them. However, young adults

intend to refuse these policies and are more exposed to social media as it is being uncovered

on technological devices. In comparison to the previous findings, it could identify that young

drivers between the ages of 18-25-year-olds are more intended to reveal that using a mobile

phone while driving is dangerous however, individuals would ignore the dangers that are

being exposed and propose to text or make a call is more important. These types of

distractions have been proven by and research by the amount of car collisions that occur, due

to the dangers that young adolescents are endangering to fulfil their need.

During this research report, there have been various limitations that occurred to the group

assignment. These limitations included by finishing the assignments within the time frame

and being able to allow the group to collaborate with one another to ensure everyone gets the

fair amount of work. Another factor that had an effect towards the whole group is that there is

one person that would not attend the class and not initially participate throughout our

discussions. The most influential factor that occurred throughout the group work was to

ensure that the surveys would be disturbed to 30-40 participants within the age-group of 18-

25 years. Applying recommendations for the future would be essentially focused to improve

on these ramifications that are displayed towards the audience for instance, providing higher

penalties/ fines for drivers and have restricted laws. Hence why individuals must have the

ability to focus whilst driving as it is fundamental aspect while driving as it could lead to

negative consequences and dangers to the individual.

9|Page
REFERENCE:
Huth, V Sanchez, Y Brusque, C 2014 ‘Drivers’ phone use at red traffic lights: A roadside observation
study comparing calls and visual-manual interactions’, ‘Accident Analysis and Prevention, 17 April,
viewed 25th April 2017 < https://vuws.westernsydney.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid-2621707-dt-content-
rid-
22164752_1/courses/900021_700056_2017_t1/Drivers%E2%80%99%20phone%20use%20at%20red
%20traffic%20lights%20A%20roadside%20observation%20study.pdf>

Haque, M & Washington S 2013 ‘A parametric duration model of the reaction times of drivers
distracted by mobile phone conversations’, Accident Analysis and Prevention, 27 June, viewed 25th
April 2017, < https://vuws.westernsydney.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid-2621705-dt-content-rid-
22164642_1/courses/900021_700056_2017_t1/A%20parametric%20duration%20model%20of%20t
he%20reaction%20times%20of%20driversdistracted%20by%20mobile%20phone%20conversations.p
df>

Sheila, G & others 2014 ‘Distracted Driving and Risk of Road Crashes among Novice and Experienced
Drivers’, The New England Journal of Medicine, 2nd January, viewed 25th April 2017, <
https://vuws.westernsydney.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid-2621706-dt-content-rid-
22164749_1/courses/900021_700056_2017_t1/Distracted%20Driving%20and%20Risk%20of%20Roa
d%20Crashes%20among%20Novice%20and%20Experienced%20Drivers.pdf>

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 APPENDIX
https://surveyplanet.com/58f2f5fed2a42d59a96233ed

Questionnaire:
1. What is your sex?
2. Do you have a mobile phone?
3. How often do you use a mobile while driving?
4. How often is your phone turned onto silent mode while driving?
5. Do you use any Bluetooth devices while driving?
6. How many years of driving experience do you currently have?
7. How many hours do you normally drive?
8. What makes you use a mobile while driving?
9. Has there ever been a situation where you have felt justified to use your mobile while
driving? If so, what was it?
10. Are there any improvements in campaigning etc. that could possibly be more effective
than the current ways of raising awareness for using mobile phones while driving?
11. Do you believe that you are full aware of the ramifications that can occur by phone usage
while driving?
12. What do you believe most of your phone usage is spent on?
13. Have you ever been involved in a collision with another driver that was caused by mobile
phone usage?
14. Do you believe that using a mobile phone while driving is more dangerous than talking to
a passenger?
15. Do you believe that the illegalisation of mobile phone usage while driving is an
infringement on your personal liberties?

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