A study of cellular phone use and motor vehicle injury

• Main Authors: Khoot-Peng Cheah, 謝屈平
• Other Authors: Shin-Han Tsai
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2004
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/99239490687609164365

碩士 === 臺北醫學大學 === 傷害防治學研究所 === 92 === Back ground: Risk factors in motor vehicle injury have been well documented by researchers, and human factor contributed most. The relationship between cellular phone use and motor vehicle injury has been studied in other countries, but it is not clear in Taiwan. Cellular phone use may induce the inattention of driver and cause mishap. Objectives: The objective of this study is to investigate the association of cellular phone use and motor vehicle injury in Taiwan. Material and Method: The study population was collected from the emergency department of five regional hospitals in Northern Taiwan, dated from the first day of February 2001 to the first day of March 2002 period. The data of injury pattern a was collected through the trauma registry of these hospitals. Further information was collected by questionnaire obtained through telephone interviewed by trained personnel. Copies of drivers’ cellular phone billing records were obtained through individual phone companies under the consent of the patient. Descriptive analysis of driver characteristics, environmental condition and vehicle use was documented, and then we performed univariate and multiple regression analysis of the data obtained. Results: A total of 1353 cases were collected in the time interval, including 487 female and 866 male patients. Significant difference was found in age group (p: 0.03), alcohol use (p: 0.02), driving experience (p: 0.01) traffic law breaking history (p: 0.02), severity of injury (p: 0.01), and weather condition in the use of cellular phone while driving. The odd ratio of having a collision using a hand held cellular phone while driving was 2.24 times(OR: 2.24) higher than not using a phone. The odd ratio of having a collision using a hand free cellular phone was 6.5 times (OR: 6.5) higher. Conclusion: The use of cellular phone either hand-held or hand free in driving may distract the vision and alertness of driver, and associated with increase risk of collision. The odds of accident in the hand free phone are even higher than the hand-held setting. Future banning of hand free cellular phone use while driving is an issue to be considered.