The role of beliefs in the use of hands-free and handheld mobile phones while driving

Objective: This study investigated the frequency of mobile phones use while driving by mode (handheld vs. hands-free users) and its relationship with three types of beliefs (behavioural, normative and control). Methods: Three hundred and fourteen British drivers (M = 29.4 years; 64% female) completed a questionnaire (White et al., 2010) which measured frequency of mobile phone use while driving (in general, and for four specific phone-related behaviours) and the three types of beliefs. Results: The proportion of participants who reported each behaviour on at least a daily basis were: 29% answering calls, 29% initiating calls, 30% reading texts and 22% sending texts. Significant multivariate differences were identified in the behavioural and control beliefs between daily and less frequent handheld mobile phone users. Differences were also found for several specific behavioural beliefs (effectively using time for both modes and receiving important information for handheld users), normative beliefs (handheld - partner, hands-free - friends, family and work colleagues) and control beliefs (hands-free - risk of fines, handheld - all control beliefs). In all cases daily users reported more positive outcomes of phone use, a higher likelihood of being approved by others, and a lower likelihood of control beliefs preventing them from using a phone. However, using composite measures of each belief type, logistic regression found that only control beliefs were significantly related to being a daily user among handheld mobile phone users. Conclusions: Differences in beliefs (particularly behavioural and control beliefs) were found between daily and less frequent users of handheld mobile phones, meaning that they may underlie the decision to engage in this risky behaviour. Likewise, several specific beliefs differed between daily and less frequent users of handheld and hands-free mobile phones (using their time effectively). These results may provide useful information for developing countermeasures aimed at curbing mobile phone use while driving.