Religiosity and Unsafe and Distracted Driving Behaviors

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between religiosity and high-risk motor vehicle driving behaviors. Methods: College students completed a questionnaire that included religiosity measures and questions about seatbelt use and unsafe and distracted driving. Results: Substantial numbers of students did not always wear seatbelts and frequently engaged in unsafe and distracted driving. Religiosity was significantly (p < .05) related to driving behaviors. Higher levels of religiosity were related to less frequent speeding and driving while intoxicated, but more frequent cell phone use and sending text messages while driving. Conclusions: Although weak in magnitude, statistically significant relationships existed between religiosity measures and driving behaviors. The more important finding may be the numbers of students engaging in unsafe and distracted driving and the implications this has for public policy.