Opportunity

Using a cell phone while driving increases crash risk. And failing to use a seatbelt nearly doubles one's risk of death and injury if a collision occurs.   

Intervention 

In partnership with General Motors (GM), we explored whether interventions informed by behavioral science can reduce cell phone use and encourage drivers to buckle up.

GM customers from across the United States with Gen 10 vehicles were recruited to participate in the study, and participants were randomly assigned to one of four arms. Intervention arms tested the effect of a mix of behavioral engagement strategies and financial incentives on the driving behaviors of seatbelt use and handheld phone use. The four study groups were:

• control,
• behavioral engagement – consisting of education, personalized tips, a "wish-outcome-obstacle-plan" exercise, and weekly feedback about buckling and handheld-free streaks –
• behavioral engagement plus raffle, and
• behavioral engagement plus shared pot.

Driving behavior was tracked by our homegrown smartphone telematics app, Way to Drive.

Impact 

Participants in the behavioral engagement plus shared pot group had a significantly higher buckling rate (91.3 percent) than those in the control (88.3 percent) group. The difference persisted during the five-week follow-up period. Handheld phone use did not differ significantly among groups.