Fear of being without your phone makes you a more dangerous DRIVER: People with severe ‘nomophobia’ are 85% more likely to pick up their devices while behind the wheel

• In the UK, it is illegal to hold and use a phone while driving or riding a motorcycle
• However, many drivers find it difficult to pry themselves away from their phone
• Scientists surveyed 2,773 people on their driving habits and phone addiction
• People who scored highly for nomophobia were more likely to use phone in car

For some people, a moment without your phone in your hand can seem like a lifetime.

Now, it seems our obsession with our phones could be affecting our safety behind the wheel.

Researchers from Monash University have revealed that people who suffer from severe ‘nomophobia’ – the fear of being without a mobile phone – are 85 per cent more likely to pick up their device while behind the wheel.

In particular, men were found to be more likely than women to use their smartphone behind the wheel, as were young people.

Researchers from Monash University have revealed that people who suffer from ‘nomophobia’ – the fear of being without a mobile phone – are 85 per cent more likely to pick up their device while behind the wheel (stock image)

What is nomophobia? 

Symptoms of nomophobia include being unable to turn off your phone, obsessively checking your phone, constantly topping up the battery and taking your phone to the bathroom. 

Previous research has revealed that those with high nomophobia are more likely to suffer wrist and neck pain.

They are also more likely to get distracted from their studies and work – showing that not only does problematic use of smartphones induce negative effects on users’ physical conditions but also on the overall quality of their everyday life.

Researchers warned that this trend is likely to continue as phones become increasingly personalised and carry out more and more functions.

In the UK, it is illegal to hold and use a phone while driving or riding a motorcycle – even if you’re stopped at traffic lights.

The UK government website advises: ‘You must not use a device in your hand for any reason, whether online or offline.

‘For example, you must not text, make calls, take photos or videos, or browse the web.’

Despite this, many drivers find it difficult to pry themselves away from their smartphone while in the car.

In their new study, researchers set out to understand whether or not there is a link between illegal smartphone use in the car and nomophobia.

‘Determining whether higher levels of nomophobia are associated with an increased likelihood of illegal smartphone use in vehicles may provide driver licencing authorities with avenues to reduce risk by developing programs and training aimed at mitigating nomophobia,’ the researchers wrote in their study, published in Computers in Human Behaviour Reports.

The team used a sample of 2,773 participants in Australia, who completed a questionnaire to assess their levels of nomophobia.

Participants were also asked: ‘In the last 31 days, have you ever used your mobile phone in a manner that is not permitted by your licence type?’

The results revealed that participants who scored highly for nomophobia were 85 per cent more likely to engage in illegal phone use while driving.

Age and gender also appear to play a role in the likelihood of engaging in illegal smartphone activity while driving.

When compared to 18-25-year-olds, participants aged 60+ were 92 per cent less likely to use their phone while driving.

Meanwhile, men were 20 per cent more likely to engage in illegal phone use while driving compared to women.

F. Kaviani, who led the study, said: ‘Our research shows that nomophobia severity is a predictor in dangerous driving.

‘Road safety can be improved by addressing the factors that lead to heavy reliance on smartphones – such as young people’s need to use them to stay connect to their job.’

HOW BAD IS YOUR NOMOPHOBIA? TAKE THE TEST

Write the numbers 1-20 down the side of a sheet of paper. 

Answer each of the questions using a scale of one to seven (where one is strongly disagree and seven is strongly agree) and add up your score at the end.

The higher the number, the more severe your nomophobia is. 

As benchmark, if you score…

20-60: You have mild nomophobia

60-100: You have moderate nomophobia

100+: You have severe nomphobia  

THE QUESTIONS: 

1. I would feel uncomfortable without constant access to information through my smartphone.

2. I would be annoyed if I could not look information up on my smartphone when I wanted to do so.

3. Being unable to get the news (e.g., happenings, weather, etc.) on my smartphone would make me nervous.

4. I would be annoyed if I could not use my smartphone and/or its capabilities when I wanted to do so.

5. Running out of battery in my smartphone would scare me.

6. If I were to run out of credits or hit my monthly data limit, I would panic.

7. If I did not have a data signal or could not connect to Wi-Fi, then I would constantly check to see if I had a signal or could find a Wi-Fi network.

8. If I could not use my smartphone, I would be afraid of getting stranded somewhere.

9. If I could not check my smartphone for a while, I would feel a desire to check it.

If I did not have my smartphone with me…

10. I would feel anxious because I could not instantly communicate with my family and/or friends.

11. I would be worried because my family and/or friends could not reach me.

12. I would feel nervous because I would not be able to receive text messages and calls.

13. I would be anxious because I could not keep in touch with my family and/or friends.

14. I would be nervous because I could not know if someone had tried to get a hold of me.

15. I would feel anxious because my constant connection to my family and friends would be broken.

16. I would be nervous because I would be disconnected from my online identity.

17. I would be uncomfortable because I could not stay up-to-date with social media and online networks.

18. I would feel awkward because I could not check my notifications for updates from my connections and online networks.

19. I would feel anxious because I could not check my email messages.

20. I would feel weird because I would not know what to do.

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