Investigating the Deterrent Effect of Distracted Driving Laws
Date
2014-05-22
Authors
Conroy, Josh
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Abstract
Following the growth of cell phone use nationwide in the last 20 years, driving while distracted is more common than ever. Deterrence theory implies that states with laws related to distracted driving would witness a decline in distracted driving after those laws came into force. Previous studies have shifted the focus of deterrence theory concluding that the certainty of being caught or apprehended is ultimately what deters an individual from committing a crime. This research explored the relationship between the implementation of distracted driving laws and cell phone related distracted driving accidents and fatalities. A paired samples t-test was used to explore changes in before-and-after mean scores of distracted driving accidents and fatalities in states with laws and in states without laws. Additionally, a one-way ANOVA test was used to compare changes in before-and-after mean scores between states with different levels of strictness in laws related to distracted driving. Findings show no support for a deterrent effect of distracted driving laws relating to cell phone use.
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Accidents, Fatalities, Distracted driving, Cell phone