Resumo

AGUERO, Dariana et al. Using the cell phone as a distraction in the driving car. Salus [online]. 2014, vol.18, n.2, pp.27-34. ISSN 1316-7138.

Mobile telephony has experienced exponential growth in recent years and shows no signs of stabilizing. Paradoxically, it occupies one of the leading positions as a triggering factor in traffic accidents, as its inappropriate use causes momentary distractions that can impair the car´s driving. This research was aimed to determine the use of cell phones as a distraction while driving a car in medical students at the University of Carabobo, during 2013, through a descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study whose sample consisted of 200 fourth year medical students who reported to have a phone and drive a vehicle. To collect data, a questionnaire was applied. The results indicate that most of students know the risk of using the phone while driving a car (97%); however, more than a half call (66%) and receive calls (77%), as well as sending (60%) and receiving messages (67%) while they are driving. Few people say that they use hands-free devices (11.5%) and in the same way, say they were fined for driving while they were using the phone (5%). It is reported to have had traffic accidents while using the phone (8%). The conclusion shows that medical students, despite knowing the risk of an accident by using the phone, they use it for calls and text messages, which has already caused accidents because of this behavior. A motivational campaign to correct this habit and to intensify new research to correct the causes is recommended.

Palavras-chave : Cell phone; medical students; automobile driving; traffic accidents.

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