Texting While Driving: An Empirical Investigation of Students’ Attitudes and Behaviors

ABSTRACT

The distracting effects of texting while driving activity of young adults are receiving increasing attention. The findings indicate that individuals involved in texting while driving also engage in other risky behaviors. Furthermore, frequency of texting while driving appears to be related to several factors, including self-control, attitudes toward texting and responsible driving, and opinions of peers, but interestingly not with social responsibility. In conclusion, the frequency of texting while driving of young adults appears to be related to several factors, suggesting possible ways the frequency of texting while driving may be affected.

KEYWORDS:

• Distracted driving
• risky behavior
• texting
• texting and driving

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Pola B. Gupta

Pola B. Gupta is Professor of Marketing at Wright State University, Dayton, OH. He has published numerous articles in the areas of product placement, software piracy, Internet marketing and information search, and efficiency of consumer choices of new automobiles. His research interests include product placement, Internet marketing, software and music piracy, international marketing, and public policy issues. He received six Outstanding Marketing Professor of the Year Awards and one Outstanding Research Award from Wright State University.

David J. Burns

David J. Burns, DBA (1987, Kent State University) was Professor of Marketing at Xavier University. He is now in the Department of Marketing and Professional Sales, Kennesaw State University. He has co-authored several books, published over 100 journal articles and book chapters, and presented over 200 papers. His research interests include retail location and atmospherics, ethics, and consumer culture. His teaching interests include retailing and other consumer-based areas, including Marketing and the Consumer Culture and Neuromarketing.

Heather Boyd

Heather Boyd is a Consultant in Brand Strategy and Analytics at Interbrand Design Forum. Her primary research focus is consumer insights to inform brand and retail strategies.