There is clear research evidence that using a mobile phone while driving is dangerous. However, although drivers generally know this is a risky behaviour, many continue to use a handheld mobile phone while driving. The present research used the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to explore the psychological reasons underpinning intentions to use a mobile phone while driving in general, as well as to send and read text messages while driving across four different scenarios. Convenience sampling was used to obtain data from 314 participants who held a valid licence to drive in the UK, had driven at least once in the last six months and owned a mobile phone. General intentions to use a mobile phone while driving were predicted by positive Attitudes towards the behaviour and higher Perceived Behavioural Control. Moreover, when predicting intentions to send and read text messages, it was positive Attitudes that was the most consistent and significant predictor. Surprisingly, neither Perceived Behavioural Control nor Subjective Norms were significant predictors of intentions to send or read text messages. Furthermore, perceptions of risk (crashing and being apprehended by the police) were significant predictors of intentions to send and read texts over and above that provided by the TPB variables. The present research highlights the need for interventions to target attitudinal change and to increase risk perceptions in order to reduce the prevalence of these risky behaviours.

有明确的研究证据表明，开车时使用手机很危险。但是，尽管驾驶员通常都知道这是一种危险的行为，但许多人在驾驶时仍会继续使用手持移动电话。本研究使用计划行为理论（TPB）探索了在开车时一般使用手机以及在四种不同情况下开车时阅读和发送短信的心理原因。便利性采样用于从314名参与者那里获取数据，这些参与者持有在英国的有效驾驶执照，并且在过去六个月中至少驾驶过一次并且拥有一部手机。对行为的积极态度和较高的感知行为控制力预示了驾驶时使用手机的总体意图。而且，在预测发送和阅读短信的意图时，积极态度是最一致和最重要的预测因素。出人意料的是，感知行为控制和主观规范都不是发送或阅读短信意图的重要预测因子。此外，对风险的认识（崩溃和被警方逮捕）是对意图发送和阅读文本的意图的重要预测因素，而这些意图超出了TPB变量所提供的意图。本研究强调需要针对态度变化并增加风险认知以减少这些风险行为的发生率的干预措施。知觉行为控制和主观规范都不是发送或阅读短信意图的重要预测指标。此外，对风险的认识（崩溃和被警方逮捕）是对意图发送和阅读文本的意图的重要预测因素，而这些意图超出了TPB变量所提供的意图。本研究强调需要针对态度变化并增加风险认知以减少这些风险行为的发生率的干预措施。知觉行为控制和主观规范都不是发送或阅读短信意图的重要预测指标。此外，对风险的认识（崩溃和被警方逮捕）是对意图发送和阅读文本的意图的重要预测因素，而这些意图超出了TPB变量所提供的意图。本研究强调需要针对态度变化并增加风险认知以减少这些风险行为的发生率的干预措施。