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Published on: April 30, 2020
Conspiracy Beliefs Are Related to the Use of Smartphones behind the Wheel
Pedro M Valero-Mora1, Juan José Zacarés2, Mar Sánchez-García2
1Departamento de Metodología de las CC del Comportamiento, Universitat de València, Blasco Ibáñez, 21, CP 46010 Valencia, Spain.
Abstract:
The belief in conspiracy theories predicts behaviors related to public health such as the willingness to receive vaccines. This study applies a similar approach to an aspect of road safety: the use of smartphones while driving. A representative sample of 1706 subjects answered a series of questions related to what can be regarded as erroneous or conspiracy beliefs against restricting or banning the use of smartphones while driving. The results show that those having such conspiracy beliefs reported a greater use of smartphones behind the wheel.
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