McCartt Anne T, Braver Elisa R, Geary Lori L
Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 1005 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22201-4751, USA.
Prev Med. 2003 May;36(5):629-35. doi: 10.1016/s0091-7435(03)00021-5.
In response to public concern about driver distraction from cellular telephones, New York became the first state to ban handheld cell phone use while driving. The law, accompanied by considerable publicity, included a warning phase (November 2001), after which violators could be fined. Until March 2002, fines could be waived if motorists provided proof of purchase of hands-free accessories.
Daytime cell phone use among passenger vehicle drivers was observed at controlled intersections 1 month before the law's implementation, after fines could be issued (December 2001), and after waivers were not allowed (March 2002). Use was observed for 37,462 vehicles in four New York communities and 21,315 vehicles in two central Connecticut communities. Driver gender, estimated age, and vehicle type were recorded for cell phone users and a sample of passing motorists.
The use rate in New York declined significantly from 2.3% before the law to 1.1% after the law (P < 0.05). Use rates in Connecticut, an adjacent state without a law, did not change. In both states, use was higher among drivers of sport utility vehicles (P < 0.05) and minimal among drivers ages 60 or older. In New York, observed use declined among drivers younger than 60, male and female drivers, and all vehicle types.
A well-publicized law restricting drivers' use of handheld cell phones had a strong effect on behavior. Whether compliance will remain high is unknown.
为回应公众对驾车时使用手机导致司机分心的担忧，纽约成为首个禁止驾车时使用手持手机的州。这项法律伴随着大量宣传，包括一个警告阶段（2001年11月），之后违规者会被罚款。直到2002年3月，如果驾车者能提供购买免提配件的证明，罚款可以免除。
在该法律实施前1个月、罚款可开出后（2001年12月）以及免罚不再允许后（2002年3月），在交通管制路口观察乘用车司机白天使用手机的情况。在纽约的四个社区观察了37462辆车，在康涅狄格州中部的两个社区观察了21315辆车。记录了使用手机的司机以及过往驾车者样本的性别、估计年龄和车辆类型。
纽约州的使用率从法律实施前的2.3%显著下降到法律实施后的1.1%（P<0.05）。相邻的未实施该法律的康涅狄格州的使用率没有变化。在两个州，运动型多用途汽车司机的使用率都较高（P<0.05），60岁及以上司机的使用率最低。在纽约州，60岁以下司机、男女司机以及所有车辆类型的观察到的使用率都有所下降。
一项广为人知的限制司机使用手持手机的法律对行为产生了强烈影响。这种合规率是否会一直保持较高尚不清楚。
