Randomized Trial on Mobile Technology and Young Drivers' Cellphone Use

Motao Zhu

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Automobile Driving; Cell Phone Use

Treatments: Behavioral: Commercial Cellphone-Blocking App (Active); Behavioral: Driving Mode

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT05163119

R01HD102439 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

STUDY00001601

Details and patient eligibility

About

The purpose of this study is to conduct a randomized controlled trial to determine the effects of a cellphone app and a driving mode intervention on driving behavior in drivers aged 18-24 years.

Full description

For this study, 1200 teens aged 18-24 years will be randomized into one of three study groups for 6 months. Researchers aim to evaluate the effectiveness of commercial cellphone-blocking apps and driving mode interventions on cellphone use while driving and evaluate the effectiveness of commercial cellphone-blocking apps and driving mode interventions on high-risk driving events.

Enrollment: 1,200 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 24 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adults 18-24 years of age at time of recruitment
• Must have ownership and exclusive access to a passenger vehicle
• Must have car insurance with at least state-minimum coverage
• Must live in Greater Columbus (Ohio) area
• Must drive at least 2 days a week on average
• Must have functioning iPhone or Android smartphone with an active phone service account (Ex: Verizon, AT&T, etc.)
• Must self-report handheld calling or texting while driving (≥ 1 time/week)
• Must not be enrolled in another driving-related research study during the study period.
• Must be willing to be randomized and comply with study requirements
• Must have no plans to change cellphones or vehicles in next 6 months or agree to transfer FleetSafer app/DriveCam if they change cellphones or vehicles
• Must speak and read English

Exclusion criteria

• Drivers under 18 years of age
• Drivers holding learner's permits
• Drivers who share a vehicle with a family member or others
• Infrequent drivers (Drive 2 days a week or less)
• Participants from the pilot R21 project
• Current users of a cellphone-blocking app or driving mode who do not agree to uninstall/de-activate the app for the duration of participation in the study
• Current users of a car insurance monitoring device (physical device or app)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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1,200 participants in 3 patient groups

Control Group

No Intervention group

Description:

Commercial cell-phone blocking app installed on smartphone, but app will be inactive.

Commercial Cellphone-Blocking App

Experimental group

Description:

Commercial cellphone-blocking app that blocks handheld cellphone use while driving, but allows emergency calls and phone use after pressing the passenger button will be installed on smartphone.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Commercial Cellphone-Blocking App (Active)

Driving Mode

Experimental group

Description:

Driving mode blocks handheld phone use while driving or facilitates hands free use (exact functionality dependent on smartphone type and service provider).This group will also have the commercial cell-phone blocking app installed on smartphone, but app will be inactive.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Driving Mode