Survey: Commuters Addicted to Texting While Driving, Aware It's Not Safe

Despite a law banning texting and hand-held cell phone use while driving, a large number of motorists still haven’t kicked the habit—even though they admit it’s dangerous, according to a new survey sponsored by AT&T.

But don’t go pointing too many fingers at teen drivers as being the main culprits. The worst offenders are daily commuters. Nearly half (49 percent) self-report texting while driving, compared to 43 percent of teenage motorists admitting to the behavior.

Results show 98 percent of those surveyed know that sending a text or email while behind the wheel is not safe.

It’s a growing problem—six in 10 respondents said they never texted while driving three years ago.

The San Mateo County Sheriff's Office annouced that deputies will be actively involved in ticketing drivers who break the law and place themselves and others in danger.  Drivers caught texting will be cited with no warnings. The current minimum ticket cost is $159, with subsequent tickets costing at least $279. 

The California Highway Patrol announced a crackdown starting April 1—National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The “It’s Not Worth It” campaign is designed to increase visibility of the problem, ramp up enforcement, and send the message that the illegal behavior isn’t worth a fine or accident.

AT&T has also launched a public education campaign to bring awareness to the problem. “It Can Wait” seeks to make the “dangers of texting and driving real and personal by giving thousands of people hands-on experience with driving simulators and sharing the heart-wrenching stories” like that of Jamie Nash, who was involved in a life-changing texting-and-driving accident.

[Watch Nash tell her story in the YouTube video attached to this article.]

Last April, over 57,000 tickets were written statewide for texting and hand-held cell use. There were nearly 450,000 convictions in 2012. Whether it's a ticket or a crash, as the campaign theme states, "It's Not Worth It!"

With hefty fines and dire consequences at stake, why do motorists continue to defy the law and text or talk while driving? Will you be more likely to curb the habit knowing the CHP is cracking down?

Tell us what you think in comments.

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