Way to Safety Cellphone Blocking

Way to Safety: Cellphone Blocking Technology to Reduce Cellphone Use While Driving Among Teens

Research participants will be recruited to take part in a randomized control trial. Participants' cellphone use will be observed during an initial baseline period. Participants will then be randomly assigned to one of four conditions: education only (control), opt-in blocking, opt-out blocking, and opt-out blocking with parental notification.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death in teens in the United State and for drivers aged 15-19 involved in fatal crashes, 21% of distracted drivers were distracted by the use of cellphones. Nearly 90% of teens expect a response to a text message within 5 minutes, and the compulsion to respond is stronger for messages from close social contacts. This suggests that behavioral-economic interventions such as immediate and frequent incentives are needed to offset the disutility caused by not being able to communicate by cellphone while driving. If proven to be effective, incentives could be scaled up via auto insurance discount contributions, school programs, and parental contributions.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. High school student
2. 16 or 17 at start of the study
3. Have a valid driver's license
4. Lives in parent's/guardian's home
5. Drives to school
6. Primarily drive one car
7. Has their own iPhone 4S or newer or Android 4.3 or newer smartphone with data plan
8. Parent/guardian is willing to assist with installation
9. Admit to texting while driving >1 time in the last 30 days

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Already uses a smartphone app or hardware device to limit cellphone use while driving