Distracted Driving: Cellular Phone use among Motorists in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Ghana

Abstract

It is well established that use of cellular phone by motorist in traffic elevates the risks of RTCs. In light of this, the practice was proscribed in Ghana, in 2012. However, very little is known about its actual prevalence. This study therefore aimed to determine the incidence of in-vehicle motorist phone use in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, the regional capital of the Western region of Ghana. Covert but unobstructed synchronized roadside observations of motorist phone use in traffic were made at 13 observation sites in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. Using SPSS, binary logistic regression was conducted to assess the influence of gender, vehicle type, time of day, location, and front-seat occupancy on phone driving. In all, 9868 motorists were clearly observed, of which 2.6% were using cellular phones. Logistic regression analysis revealed that, phone driving was significantly associated with front-seat occupancy, time of day, and vehicle type characteristics. Motorist cellular phone use in traffic is significantly, a burgeoning traffic safety concern in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, despites its proscription. Efforts should be directed at encouraging motorists to adopt responsible use of cellular phones while operating motor vehicles, alongside the rolling out of strict and sustainable enforcement regime to dissuade phone driving.

Keywords: Cellular phone use, motorist, traffic, RTCs, Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Ghana