As texting continues to grow, so does texting while driving
May 20, 2009
Cell phone users are sending more SMS text messages from more places - including while driving - according to a new survey of wireless users by Vlingo Corporation.
Only seven states and Washington, DC have banned the practice of driving while texting (DWT), but some high profile accidents - including a recent crash on the Boston subway caused by an operator texting - have raised the profile of the phenomenon.
Although more than 80 percent of respondents in the survey said DWT should be banned, some 26 percent admitted to having sent text messages while behind the wheel.
Almost 60 percent of those aged 16-19 admit to DWT and 49 percent of people aged 20-29 said they have texted on the road. Older respondents are less likely to be DWT, but usage remains high with 13 percent of those in their 50s admitting to doing so, Vlingo said.
The Vlingo report also reveals that text messaginghas grown steadily over the past 12 months across all age groups, with nearly 60 percent of mobile phone users now texting, compared to 54 percent in 2008.
Despite the popularity of mobile data services, a significant percentage of respondents cited cost as a barrier to adoption for data services.
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