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The number of mobile phone users in the US has grown from 500,000 in 1985 to 63 million in 1998. This rapid growth has occurred largely without consideration of the mobile phone’s suitability for usage while driving. The objective of this report is to summarize existing information on the subject of mobile phone use while driving, in order to provide a concise summary of the issues for the public, researchers, and legislators alike. The report discusses the benefits of mobile phone usage while driving, such as driver safety and time use efficiency, and negative aspects such as its potential for driver distraction resulting in accidents.

The report contains information on the demographics of mobile phone use in the US, focusing on user demographics and frequency of usage while driving. Although once used primarily by high income business people, user demographics are now much more similar to the demographics of the US population as a whole. Findings from literature on the subject of mobile phone use and driving performance are highly variable. In general, the literature shows that the effect of mobile phone use on driving is a complex issue with several influencing factors including the type of mobile phone used, the type of conversation undertaken, and the demographics of the user. In general, it was found that mobile phone use does have an adverse affect on driving performance, but the significance of the distraction is difficult to quantify. Reports found that people that used a mobile phone while driving were anywhere from 34 percent to 300 percent more likely to have an accident.