89 % of the American adults believe that sending SMS text messages or emails while driving is distracting, dangerous, and should be outlawed, according to a new survey commissioned by mobile messaging service Pinger and conducted by Harris Interactive. Similar numbers (91 percent) of adults thought that drivers distracted by sending text messages or mobile email were as dangerous as drivers who had a couple of drinks.
Even though the overwhelming majority of adults thought driving while texting is dangerous, 66 % who drive a car and have used text messaging said they had read SMS or emails while they were driving, and 57 % of the same population admitted to sending text messages or emails from behind the wheel.
“We all know that distracted driving is dangerous, especially when drivers take their eyes off the road to text message,” said Greg Woock, CEO of Pinger. “But, as these numbers show, people want to stay connected when they’re on the go. Pinger allows drivers to be productive in a way that’s safer.”
State governments are starting to address the dangers of drivers distracted by text messaging. The state of Washington passed the nation’s first ban on texting while driving in May of 2007 and at least six other states including New York, California and Florida are considering similar legislation.
The survey also revealed that:
- 64 % of adults who admitted to sending text messages while driving were between the ages of 18 and 34, while only 6 percent were 55 or older
- Men and women sent text messages while driving at equal rates
Source: http://www.cellular-news.com
