Field Study of Mobile Phone Use by Motorists in Accra: 2010-2014

Abstract

Mobile phone use by motorist is a known road accident risk factor. However, little known research has been conducted in Ghana to determine the actual rate of mobile phone use by motorists. In this study, we try to estimate the rate of usage by motorists in Accra-Ghana. Drivers on six major roads in the city were observed in regards to their use of mobile phone while driving over four years. Gender of the driver and the type of vehicle used by the driver was also recorded. The results show that among 9,383 drivers that were observed over period, on average 9.4% (almost 1 in 10) motorists used their mobile phones everyday. In addition, mobile phone use increased over the period from 4.4% (1 in 25 drivers) in 2010 to 9.4% (1 in 10 drivers) in 2013. The results also show that there was a significant difference between men (9.0%) and women (12.2%) in the use of mobile phone by motorists in the Accra. In addition, average daily use of mobile phones among drivers of private vehicles (13.2%) was higher than among commercial vehicles (5.6%).

Keywords: Mobile Phone, Driver Distraction, Motorist, Private Vehicles, Commercial Vehicles