An apparently unscientific but eye-opening survey found that 35 percent of college students polled at University of Alabama at Birmingham use mobile apps while driving. The sample size was only 93 students, all at UAB, and participants were not selected at random, but the survey was enough to draw the attention of the American Psychological Association, which asked the student who conducted the survey to present her findings at its August convention.

MSNBC quotes the student:

“The technology is evolving so rapidly that science hasn’t caught up to looking at the effects that mobile app usage can have behind the wheel of a car. But something needs to be done because in psychological terms, internet use involves substantial cognitive and visual distraction that exceeds talking or texting, making it much more dangerous.”

The survey found that 10 percent of the students “often,” “almost always” or “always” use apps while driving, while 35 percent “sometimes” do so.

Which apps have you used while driving?

35 percent of college students use mobile apps … while driving [MSNBC]

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