A New Look at Sexual Behavior in Moving Vehicles Reported by Midwestern College Students

We examined the prevalence and characteristics of sex in a moving vehicle among a sample of college students from a Midwestern University. We determined that among a sample of 967 primarily white, heterosexual Midwestern college students (271 men, 684 women, 12 persons of alternative or missing gender), 281 (29.06%) had engaged in sex in a moving vehicle (SMV) as an occupant (either a driver or a passenger.) Of the final binary gender sample of 955, 276 (28.90%) respondents (81 men, 195 women) had engaged in SMV. In reports of the most recent incidents, over 68.80% of SMV participants were with a serious romantic partner. The most common sexual acts were oral sex (69%) and genital touching (57%). When asked if orgasm was achieved, 34.22% indicated yes versus no or don't know. Revealing a gender orgasm gap and possible adherence to traditional sexual scripts, 67.11% of men compared to 20.86% of women said yes. SMV was moderately related to use of technology: 39.13% of SMV participants utilized cell phones during sex, including watching pornography and calling or texting others. SMV was strongly linked to distracted driving: 75% of SMV participants reported at least one of eleven unsafe driving events. Despite risks, 81.58% of SMV participants endorsed it as a fun and exciting adventure. We suggest that the risks and pleasures of SMV be addressed in sex education programs.