Sociotechnical Factors Supporting Mobile Phone Use by Bus Drivers

Figures & data

Table 1. Share (%) of bus drivers from study and comparison companies answering different questions on mobile phone use while driving (n indicates the number answering each question).

	Study company	Comparison company	Total
Of all drivers responding: How often do you use your mobile phone while you are driving the bus?	(n = 245)	(n = 331)	(n = 576)
At least once a day	4%	5%	5%
Once to several times a week	3%	5%	4%
Sometimes but less than once a week	13%	12%	12%
Never	80%	79%	79%
Of those who say they use their phone to some extent while driving: What do you use the telephone for?	(n = 46)	(n = 69)	(n = 115)
Make a call	16%	18%	17%
Answer a call	56%	63%	60%
Send SMS or other message	4%	3%	3%
Check for messages	25%	20%	22%
Listen to music	36%	30%	32%
Use of other apps	12%	4%	7%
Of those who make or answer calls while driving: Who do you speak with most while driving?	(n = 28)	(n = 49)	(n = 77)
Family	39%	41%	40%
Friends	4%	6%	5%
Colleagues	32%	27%	29%
Others	25%	27%	26%
Of all driver respondents who take their phone with them but do not use it: Which mode do you usually use while driving the bus?	(n = 166)	(n = 115)	(n = 281)
Sound or vibration is on, and I can hear incoming calls and messages	43%	36%	40%
Sound or vibration is on, but I do not hear calls and messages	17%	20%	18%
On silent (no vibration)	37%	40%	38%
Turned completely off before driving	3%	4%	3%

Figure 1. Main themes describing sociotechnical interactions supporting the use of technology (mobile phones) by bus drivers while driving.