At least 1.6 million car accidents each year involve drivers using cell
phones and texting according to the National Safety Council. We have all heard
the warnings about the dangers of texting while driving. It has remained one of
the hottest topics in terms of roadway safety. Our blog has reported that one
of the most serious dangers surrounding texting while driving is the fact that
while people admit the danger, many refuse to follow the logic.
Most parents have told their children that they should not text while
driving. However, a survey conducted by Pew Research Center shows close to half
(47%) of all adults who use text messaging say they have sent or read messages
while behind the wheel. That compares to one in three (34%) texting teens ages
16-17 who said they had "texted while driving".1
"Adults may be the ones sounding the alarm on the dangers of distracted
driving, but they don't always set the best example themselves," Mary
Madden, a senior research specialist at Pew, said in a statement.
In an attempt to lower the number of car accidents involving texting,
AT&T has launched a new initiative called "It Can Wait". AT&T
is asking people to take a pledge not to text while driving and share that
pledge with their friends and followers through Facebook and Twitter
(#itcanwait) and encourage everyone they know to join in the movement.
If you are in an car accident and suspect the other driver was distracted, contact
our office to obtain legal help. We can investigate the other drivers'
vehicles for evidence of electronic-device use, phone and e-mail records, and
other sources to show if a driver was distracted while driving.
1 The Pew Internet & American Life Project
Source: CNN Tech, "Adults as likely to text while driving as teens, study says,"
Eva Vasquez, June 18, 2010