Texting while driving on automatic: Considering the frequency-independent side of habit

This study tested the potential of the frequency-independent components of habit, or automaticity, to predict the rate of texting while driving. A survey of 441 college students at a large American university was conducted utilizing a frequency-independent version of the experimentally validated Self-Report Habit Index (SRHI; Orbell and Verplanken, 2010 and Verplanken and Orbell, 2003). Controlling for gender, age, and driver confidence, analyses showed that automatic texting tendencies predicted both sending and reading texts while driving. The findings suggest that texting while driving behavior may be partially attributable to individuals doing so without awareness, control, attention, and intention regarding their own actions. The unique contribution of automaticity explained more variance than overall individual usage, and remained significant even after accounting for norms, attitudes, and perceived behavioral control. The results demonstrate the importance of distinguishing the level of automaticity from behavioral frequency in mobile communication research. Future applications and implications for research are discussed.

► We examined texting while driving using a modified version of the SRHI.
► Automatic texting tendencies predict sending and reading of texts while driving.
► Texting automaticity represents a distinct construct from texting frequency.
► Changing unconscious mechanisms may help curb dangerous driving behavior.