Many drivers are still willing to take a risk and text while driving due to “fear of missing out” and separation anxiety, according to a study published in Risk Analysis: An International Journal.

In the study, Should I text or call here? A situation-based analysis of drivers’ perceived likelihood of engaging in mobile phone multitasking, researchers found that drivers who are female, are frequent users of phones for texting/calling, have negative attitudes towards safety and are highly disinhibited report much stronger intentions of engaging in distracted driving.

According to the researchers, drivers engage in self-regulation when deciding whether to use their phones while driving. For example, many drivers make use of stops to initiate using their mobile device, and many restrain themselves to using phones only while stopped at intersections with signals.

“Drivers are not good at identifying where it is safe to use their phone, it is safer for drivers to just pull over in an appropriate place to use their phone quickly and then resume their journey,” stated one of the research team, Oscar Oviedo-Trespalacios from Australia Queensland University of Technology.

The researchers found that drivers who hold the following beliefs are more likely to use a mobile device while driving: effects on driver are minor; I need a lot of convincing to believe it is dangerous; effects will last after the task is finished.

Sixty-eight percent of participants reported needing a lot of convincing to believe in the dangers of texting and driving. However, demanding traffic conditions and the presence of law enforcement were reported as effective measures in reducing the likelihood of distracted driving. These results support high-visibility police enforcement programs as a means to combat distracted driving.

Download the study.