Integrating the theory of planned behavior and behavioral attitudes to explore texting among young drivers in the US

•This study investigates the link between psychosocial factors and young drivers’ intent to text while driving.•A survey was administered to 2,966 people, of which 524 met the inclusion criteria and responded with a completed survey.•The survey was tested for reliability and validity using statistical methods.•The research model was tested using a PLS structural model.•Perceived Behavioral Control, Subjective Norm, General TWD Attitude, Perceived Disadvantages and Age are significant. The proliferation of cell phones and the growing culture of constant connectivity has introduced a plethora of new challenges for mobile citizens. One of the major challenges transportation professionals desire to address involves the use of cell phones to text while driving, especially for less experienced drivers. In this study, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in conjunction with psycho-social factors is utilized to explore the intention to text while driving among young drivers. The results of a survey administered to 524 drivers suggest that the TPB constructs (attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control) along with the perceived disadvantages of abstention and age of the driver explain a significant amount of variance in the intention to send text messages while driving (adjusted R2 = 0.71).