Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

240

Hak Loy Lim

Date

2011

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Civil Engineering

Concentration

Transportation Engineering

Committee Chair

Martin Lipinski

Committee Member

Stephanie Ivey

Committee Member

David Houston

Abstract

This research effort investigates the use of cell phone while driving and the associated crash risk for the college age drivers. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to University of Memphis students to ascertain information in three key areas: (1) Driving hours, (2) Types of cell phone usage - talking, texting, and other wireless functions, and (3) Safety issues - incidences of crash pr 'close call'* using cell phones. The questionnaire was available online on the University of Memphis webpage (http://cifts.memphis.edu/cellphone.html) from February 12, 2009 until April 10, 2009, resulting in responses from 2442 students. Data was analyzed using: (1) Descriptive Statistics, (2) Frequency Figures, and (3) Mann-Whitney U Test. Results indicate that texting, emailing, and taking pictures while driving are related to higher incidences of close call occurrence, and thus cell phone usage is affecting students' driving safety.*Close call: Defined as an incident where driver engages in high risk traffic movement but avoids collision, i.e. drifting into adjacent lane, having to "slam on brakes," etc.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

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