Use of Mobile Phone by Intercity Commercial Motorist in Three Towns in Benue State, Nigeria - A Threat to Road Crash

Abstract

Inappropriate use of mobile phone by motorist has become an emerging issue of concern, most especially in low- and middle-income countries where majority of road accidents occur annually. A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among 360 intercity commercial motorist in three towns in Benue State, Nigeria between April and May, 2013 using multi-staged sampling technique to assess the practice of mobile phones and the associated prevalence of auto clash. The data were analysed using SPSS (version 17) with statistical significant set at p-value of 0.05. Ninety -five (26.4%) receive calls only, 7921.9%) receive and made calls, 18(5.0%) made calls only, 14(3.9%) read or send sms text messages, while 57(15.8 %) engaged in all forms of use of mobile phone (i.e calls and sms text messages).