Using mobile devices while driving and lying about it: How do drivers who lie about using mobile devices while driving think differently about what they are doing?

• Drivers were observed in a natural street setting. • Among all drivers observed, 6% misreported their mobile device usage—representing 10% of those seen using a mobile device. • Drivers who truthfully reported using a mobile device while driving perceived related risky behaviors as less dangerous, whereas those who either did not use devices or misreported their usage viewed these risks as more severe. • Drivers who truthfully acknowledged using a mobile device while driving believed other drivers used them less frequently than they did, while those who denied or concealed their usage tended to believe others used mobile devices more frequently than they did. The aim of the study was to observe mobile device usage by car drivers in real-world conditions and compare these observations with the drivers’ self-reports to verify their accuracy. Observational data were combined with a brief survey about drivers’ recent behaviour and their subjective evaluations of the dangers associated with using mobile devices while driving. Among all observed drivers, 6% lied about their mobile device usage (which is 10% of those who were seen using mobile devices). Drivers who truthfully reported their mobile device usage rated the risks associated with such behavior as lower compared to those who either did not use devices or lied about their usage. Additionally, drivers who were honest about their mobile device usage while driving believed that other drivers used mobile devices less frequently than they did. In contrast, those who either did not use devices or lied about their usage tended to believe that other drivers used mobile devices more frequently than they did.