Kicking the Habit: End the Distractions

Written by Judy Bortman

On July 1, 2014, penalties for using a handheld cell phone while driving increase significantly in New Jersey. While I don't use a handheld cell phone or even talk hands-free while driving, this got me thinking about changing a habit and what it takes to alter behavior.

Would motorists actually put down their cell phones because fines are doubling? Does talking trump higher fines? Do most drivers perceive they're immune from the law and don't expect to be caught? 

In his book, The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference, Malcolm Gladwell explained the sociological changes that mark everyday life. He defined a tipping point as "the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point." It's where change begins. 

Could higher fines and greater penalties for using a handheld cell phone become a motorist's "tipping point?" And if so, how long would it take for a motorist to actually change the handheld habit by their own volition?

The Tipping Point: Where Change Begins

If we applied Mr. Gladwell's theory to technology, the tipping point would be the time when a product jumps from use by early adopters to become mainstream. Think Google Glass. Right now the curious looking spectacles are expensive, worn by a few, admired by some and stared at by many.

Google Glass

Someday down the road, however, Google Glass will likely be affordable and the norm. No one will be staring. But that change will take time just as, with time, other driving laws have become second nature.

We know that it's against the law to drink and drive and literally stupid to not use seat belts. Some years ago not everyone felt this way. Laws were made and enforced, media stories and outreach by organizations such as TransOptions increased awareness, life-saving data was tallied and, in time, behavior changed. As an example, New Jersey's seat belt law first went into effect on March 1, 1985. Today, over 93 percent of NJ motorists observe that law. Is it only a matter of time before not holding a cell phone is also the norm?  If so, how long should it take?

I had heard that it takes 21 days to change a habit. After moving to a new home or starting a new job, it's true that life and surroundings seem more familiar, comfortable and "routine" after three weeks.

The 21 day change theory was started in the 1950s by a plastic surgeon named Maxwell Maltz. He noticed a pattern among his patients about 21 days after surgery by observing how they adapted to seeing changes to their bodies. In 1960 Maltz published his thoughts in a book called Psycho-Cybernetics that became a blockbuster hit and has influenced motivational speakers and change-theorists to this day. 

"It takes (a minimum of) 21 days to form a new habit." -Maxwell Maltz

Twenty-one days seemed like a small window of time to form a new habit, especially one so ingrained as holding a cell phone while driving. Some searching led me to a study by Phillippa Lally published in 2009 in the European Journal of Social Psychology. Lally and her research group wanted to find out how long it actually takes to form a habit. 

They studied the "new" habits of 96 people during a 12-week period to note when their behavior felt automatic. At the end of the 12 weeks, researchers analyzed the data to determine the behavioral "tipping point."

Their finding?  On average it took more than two months for a new behavior to become automatic – an average of 66 days.  Realistically, they found it actually may take from two to eight months to create a new life behavior. 

About 20 years ago I worked for a division of Novell, a company that was leading the shift to sharing files on local area networks. This networking revolution met resistance because it was a new concept and would end the dominance of mainframe computers.

Novell's model changed computing and it didn't happen overnight. Ray Noorda was president during this dynamic time (1983-1994). His quote about change is still cited and rings true to this day: 

If you're still using a handheld cell phone, this is a good time to think about embracing change, focusing on driving when you're behind the wheel and altering what's become a habit.

Start by putting a message on your cellphone voice mail saying that you're either not available or driving and will return the call as soon as possible. Place your phone on mute while driving so you're not tempted to answer. Try putting it in a purse, bag, briefcase or even the back seat so that it’s not readily accessible while driving.

And if you're a parent, just think of the example you’re setting for your children.  From the minute the "car seat turns around" your child can see you driving. Let's hope they mimic what you do and down the road won’t have to change.