Handheld mobile telephone use among Melbourne drivers.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate change in handheld mobile telephone (mobile) use among motor vehicle drivers between 2002 and 2006.


METHODS
Observational study of motor vehicle drivers at three times (10:00-11:00; 14:00-15:00; 17:00-18:00) on three consecutive Tuesdays in October 2006 at 12 highway sites in metropolitan Melbourne.


METHODS
Rates of handheld mobile use overall and by the sex and age of drivers, highway site (major metropolitan road, central business district, freeway exit ramp) and time of day.


RESULTS
In 2002, 315 of 17 023, and in 2006, 331 of 20 207 drivers were observed using handheld mobiles. This represented a non-significant rate decrease from 18.5 to 16.3 users/1000 drivers (rate difference, 2.1 users/1000 drivers; 95% CI,- 0.6 to 4.8; P = 0.07). Unlike 2002, the rate of handheld mobile use among men in 2006 was significantly higher than for women (rate difference, 3.7 mobiles/1000 drivers; 95% CI, 0.1-7.3; P = 0.03). In both 2002 and 2006, mobile use was most common in the central business district. In 2002, there was significantly more mobile use in the evening, while in 2006, the evening rate was significantly lower than the morning rate (rate difference, 4.3; 95% CI, - 0.1 to 8.7; P = 0.03) and slightly lower than the afternoon rate (rate difference, 3.0; 95% CI, - 1.1 to 7.1; P = 0.08). The effect of age remained unchanged between 2002 and 2006, with older drivers using mobiles least (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The number of drivers at risk from handheld mobile phone use remains almost unchanged. However, a slight reduction in the rate of use overall and variations in use among driver subgroups are apparent. Policing and public awareness campaigns need to further address this preventable risk of injury.
Taylor
David McD
DM
Emergency Department, Austin Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. David.Taylor@austin.org.au
MacBean
Catherine E
CE
Das
Atandrila
A
Mohd Rosli
Reizal
R
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000523:psychology*; D040421:Cell Phone / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012309:Risk-Taking; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014739:Victoria