Texting While Driving Study Shows Teens Not The Worst Culprits

SAN FRANCISCO — If you're about to warn your teenager about the dangers of texting or talking on the phone while driving, a new report suggests you look in the mirror first.

A study released Friday by The Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project says adults and teenagers are equally likely to have texted while driving. And adults are more likely to have chatted on their phones while driving.

The study found that 47 percent of adults who text reported sending or reading texts while behind the wheel. In a 2009 Pew study, a lower number – 34 percent – of 16- and 17-year-olds who send texts said that they did that while driving.

Because not everyone has a phone or sends texts, the report said the findings indicate that 27 percent of all U.S. adults have sent or read texts while driving and 26 percent of all U.S. 16- and 17-year-olds have done so.

The study also found that adults are much more likely to chat on their phones while driving: 75 percent of adults with mobile phones said they talked and drove. Fifty-two percent of teenagers with cell phones said they did so in last year's study.

That would translate into a finding that 61 percent of all U.S. adults talk on the phone while driving, while the 2009 study indicates that 43 percent of all 16- and 17-year-olds do likewise.

Mary Madden, a senior research specialist for Pew and the study's lead author, said that while many educational efforts that emphasize the dangers of distracted driving have targeted teens, the findings show a need to educate adults, too.

"I think all of us can identify with that temptation to stay connected during those idle moments in the car. ... The reality is, even if the car isn't moving, a delayed response to a green light or at a stop sign can still result in an accident," she said.

The Pew study didn't take into account that some drivers may be using handsfree devices such as Bluetooth headsets when they talk and drive, but Madden pointed out that simply having a conversation can be a distraction.

Even when not driving, adults are still engrossed in their phones: The study said that 17 percent of adults who have cell phones reported walking into other people or things because they were so busy using their phones to text or chat.

The survey used telephone interviews with 2,252 adults between April 29 and May 30. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.4 percentage points.

Comments

[mishte]

09:49 AM on 06/20/2010

Wow, I just thought back on being a teenager and learning to drive...

We had stick shifts and clutches to deal with!

We sort of thought of driving as a skill to master - controlling the timing and conditions of the vehicle as efficiently and skillfully as possible (the boys just went fast and declared themselves better drivers - they weren't).

I can't even recall the last time I saw, much less drove, a standard vehicle... I guess they became extinct *because* the driver had to be actively involved.

No time or ability to hold a soda or get through a 'drive-thru' for heck's sake without a co-pilot, much less a "cup holder"...

We had cup holders back then,

We called them: knees...

[R U Sirius]

09:35 AM on 06/20/2010

I'd seriously like to see texting, even talking, on a cell while driving, made illegal --AND with stiff penalties. These people are so distracted they're worse drivers than blacked-out drunks.

[Bee]

09:14 AM on 06/20/2010

"The reality is, even if the car isn't moving, a delayed response to a green light or at a stop sign can still result in an accident"

Can someone explain this one to me? Usually a delayed response is met with someone else honking their horn.

[suezahn]

09:34 AM on 06/20/2010

The delay can cause frustratation and overreaction, which can snowball when those stuck behind you run yellow/red lights because they don't want to get stuck waiting for the next green light.

[jkaye]

09:40 AM on 06/20/2010

ummm because if you are sitting still at a stop sign or green light, texting and not paying attention, someone else who's texting might hit you? lol

[spottery2k]

09:11 AM on 06/20/2010

Some people multi-task way better than others, but texting literally takes your eyes off the road. Even messing with the radio or clock for a few seconds is dangerous. I have no problem talking on the phone and remaining aware of my surroundings, but I'm often surprised at the number of drivers I see everyday who are easily distracted and need waking up with a nice loud foghorn. In fact, I'm often appalled at the sheer lack of common courtesy to fellow drivers. If you want to drive at 55mph, fine, but stay out of the passing lane. That's why the 'slow' lane is known as the 'courtesy' lane.

[mishte]

10:08 AM on 06/20/2010

You're very right - lots of people multi-task better than others. The best of them, however, aren't less lethal when they practice such skills while driving. Let them astound friends, family, colleagues and bosses by doing such feats on solid ground.

Your brain function when texting or participating in a phone call (hands free or not) is VERY, very from... talking to your passenger or adjusting your wipers, windows, etc.

At least that is what I've read. Regardless, I didn't need a study or journal to prove it to me... I *know* there is a difference simply because I am not physically capable of operating any other device while driving except for the device I am driving (the car). I (wrongly) assumed that having someone on speaker-phone was a safe way to have a phone conversation. It is not.

Perception, attention, reflex speed, and (shocker) something I don't know how to describe other than "cognitive duality" - being able to engage in a conversation with your passenger while analyzing your environment and conditions related to driving. This ability is so impaired when talking on a cell phone instead of a passenger - that the two activities are NOT comparable.

[spottery2k]

10:46 AM on 06/20/2010

Agreed. My practice of using a phone in the car is to limit the content of the conversation. I usually won't make a call while driving, unless I must, and only to get/information. If the conversation appears to be more absorbing of my attention, I promptly advise that I will call back.

[salvy859]

08:20 AM on 06/20/2010

Cities and states need to really get tough when it comes to these morons who talk and text while driving. Our roads are over crowded and dangerous as it is. To purposely distract yourself by texting while driving is no different then aiming a gun at someone and pulling the trigger

[michelesda]

06:26 AM on 06/20/2010

Personally, I always refuse even to talk to other passengers in my car while driving; I find it too distracting. I've also never had an accident; could there be a connection, I wonder?

[mishte]

10:43 AM on 06/20/2010

You sound more like someone who has - and learned from it.

Being unreasonably cautious is as dangerous as being reckless - at least that's what I've learned from my own experience.

I used to be a confident (and good) driver. After being in an accident (wasn't at fault, not that it matters) I am actually a less safe driver because of my hyper-awareness, anxiety and startle reflex that is even a problem when I'm a passenger, as it interferes with, startles and distracts the driver.

I get PTSD. It's not a plus.

There is no text, discussion, multi-task or appointment that is worth such a huge, instantaneous price. If it's truly important, pull the heck over and deal.

Driving involves actively being responsible for fate, safety, life (and/or lives).

Just because it's as normal as brushing your teeth - it doesn't mean you get to forget that it is always, potentially lethal. It deserves focus and respect. That's all.

[michelesda]

12:13 PM on 06/20/2010

Serious points. I've been in an accident or two riding in other people's cars, and it was traumatic alright, a helpless feeling, even though I wasn't badly hurt. The thing with me, though, is that I'm a fairly aggressive driver. My father drove cab, and I probably picked up a few of his habits riding around with him. Part of my luck is in that other drivers, who don't want to have an accident either, can at least always pretty well tell what I'm going to do. The rest is good vision and reflexes and my conviction from day one that if I'm going to drive the way I do, I had at least damn well better be paying full attention to what I'm doing every second behind the wheel.

[AJ in ATL]

04:33 AM on 06/20/2010

It amazes me how often teens are considered the worst drivers for lack of experience but studies show them maybe not to be so. A good example of this is accidents, while it's true that teens cause the most accidents it is the elderly who cause the most fatal ones.

As for this issue, I applaud states that are putting laws on the book to stop people from texting/reading emails while driving. I also agree with making it so that if your going to talk on the phone you need to have a hands free device for that. This only makes good driving/common sense,

[Bacygirl]

03:52 AM on 06/20/2010

Was recently a passenger in the car with my son's girlfriend, a woman in her mid-30s. This is a woman who has been pulled over for going the wrong way on a one-way frontage road, who does know the fine points of merging, and who has been driving on a suspended license (unpaid tickets in Ohio) for almost 10 years because she says she can't afford to pay them. Yet she holds a fulltime job and is supporting the Walton family (owners of WallyWorld). She's been pulled over at least three times since I've know her, and managed to talk her way out of a ticket or a trip to jail.

Lo and behold, she received a text message while I was in the car, and she started replying to it!!! I just started screaming NO NO NO! What is WRONG with you! Haven't you seen the Oprah commercials?! She looked at me like I was crazy but she put the phone down.

And to be honest, my son does it, too. I have hollered at him as well. He ran into the back of a car while trying to change stations on his car radio in his first car. You'd think that would have convinced him to keep his eyes on the road.

I agree with Rachel Metz. The biggest fools on the road aren't kids, it's over-confident, delusional grown folks.

[ancientuno]

09:27 AM on 06/20/2010

You knew all of this previous stuff before hand, and you still got in the car?

[Bacygirl]

06:49 PM on 06/20/2010

Please my friend, I'm not stupid. It happens I was captive. Generally, I won't go anywhere if I am not driving myself. I hate being dependent on other people for transportation, and I hate giving up the power to leave at will. However, my son had back surgery and I traveled by train to his home in another city. Otherwise, I do NOT ride with the girlfriend. I am glad I witnessed her stupidity because first, I stopped her, and second, I hope I impressed upon her the irresponsibility of her actions.

Unfortunately, my granddaughter does not have the luxury of not riding with her. That's who I worry about.

[Jeffrey A Beard]

02:58 AM on 06/20/2010

Drivers Ed teachers say, "eyes on the road and both hands on the wheel." Now can you think of anything that causes drivers to consistently violate this?

[IllTakeTheRedEye]

02:47 AM on 06/20/2010

I have advocated against texting while driving, or cell phone use while driving, for the same reasons I was apart of S.A.D.D. and helped out M.A.D.D.

Text while the transmission is in the Park postion for an automatic or neutral for a manual.

There are devices to stop cars from starting if a breathalyzer built into the car fails.

Perhaps there should be a cell phone jammer built into the car/vehicle that only shuts off when the car is in either the Park slot for an automatic or the Neutral position for a manual transmission. Emergency calls could still be made in Park or Neutral, but at least you will not be the cause of an emergency.

[MikeH1010]

01:11 PM on 06/21/2010

There are such solutions! I'm interning at a startup company that makes an application for your phone which locks your screen/keyboard when you turn on your car or start driving.

The truth is that people will not / do not have the self control to stop themselves from distracted driving - as you say, a lot of us need something like a breathalyzer to enforce our own safety.

If you're interested, check us out: www.zoomsafer.com

[KnightlyScribe]

02:00 AM on 06/20/2010

I am now texting this response while driving. Deal with it!!

[exile]

02:31 AM on 06/20/2010

omg srry ur an idiot

[jkaye]

09:43 AM on 06/20/2010

At least he texted it in full, correctly spelled words!!!

[KnightlyScribe]

01:47 AM on 06/20/2010

This argument is *the* most egocentric, faux call-to-arms agenda to which we Americans are (as of late) so susceptible. It's as if we're so desperate to make our lives matter that we'll adopt anything our "leaders" of the day champion - who is anyone (and I do mean *anyone*) who can raise our collective guilt to the level where it integrates seamlessly with, and is thus camouflaged by, already established ideology. In other words, to be a leader here in 2010, all you have to possess is the knack to remain beyond reproach.

This line of reasoning concerning banning cell phones/texting commits a boatload of logical fallacies, not the least of which is hasty generalization. For example, ever see someone sipping coffee or eating while driving? What about those who read billboards? Ever hit a pothole? Shame on you!! How about GPS systems - ever try to punch in a command on one of those babies while you're driving? What about the radio? Or passengers: Dogs? Cats? Children? Your mother-in-law?

Guess what: to eat while driving is cognitively equivalent to talking on a cell phone; and drinking your morning java is cognitively equatable to reading a billboard while avoiding a pothole or some other idiot driver (RI, you listening!!) is equal in trauma to receiving very bad news.

So, the conclusion to this absurd argument is to sanitize the driving experience: no billboards, no passengers, no potholes, no coffee/food, no radio....

[cwebster]

02:54 AM on 06/20/2010

Not all of those things are created equal. Try a very simple test...try to play solitaire on your computer while talking on the phone. You'll either not remember your conversation, or you won't play very well.
If you think you are capable of texting and driving- you are both selfish and irresponsible.

[KnightlyScribe]

08:03 PM on 06/20/2010

I don't see your point. We're not talking about playing solitaire - that type of cognition is handled by a completely different part of the brain. Neither are we talking about phone conversations other than those while driving. You should get your facts straight to avoid looking like a moron.

[IllTakeTheRedEye]

03:05 AM on 06/20/2010

If your passengers are adults, and they are preventing you from driving safely...
Pull over and either ask them to stop, or ask them to get out, please

In terms of eating while driving, if it is preventing you from driving safely, probabaly should stop However, many people who eat and drive, can still keep their eyes on the road.
You really cannot say that about texting.

Hitting a pothole is not usually something one chooses to do, at least I don't
You can choose not to text message while driving though.

I am not a "Tom Tom" or GPS expert, but should you not put the "command" in before you put the car into the Drive transmission position?

Some states have laws about Dogs or Cats being transported in trucks or cars, for example
http://www.loveyourdog.com/transport.html

It is not just for other drivers, it is also to protect your Dog or Cat from harm.

Children should be in a state required car seat.
At least this is what I did.
If they are driving you to distracted driving, like driving you up a wall, sometimes you must do what you do inside of a retail store. Stop

If your mother-in-law is preventing you from driving safely, you may need to discuss with your spouse about someone else driving.

I don't like billboards. Some places have banned them for many miles.

Conclusion is to drive safely. Even if insurance won't lower rates.

[mishte]

10:53 AM on 06/20/2010

you use lovely words.... but they make no sense... (sigh)

[KnightlyScribe]

08:09 PM on 06/20/2010

I agree with most everything you say when taken as individual issues. However, your argument doesn't work because you're saying that you really can't text while driving. But how do you know this? I don't think you (or anyone else) can know this because there are some people who can't walk and chew gum at the same time, let alone eat and drive. ;)

Rowdy *adult* passengers is the key word here; however, many of us have all types of passengers in the car. Further, I don't think I'd ever kick a passenger out of my car unless they did something really horrible.

Yes, you're right about the GPS situation, but just because you "should put in the command" before you start driving doesn't mean that you will. Also, many of these GPS devices use on-the-fly features, such as detour and traffic. Therefore, you wouldn't necessarily be privy to that sort of information until you reach the road issue.

Dogs and cats, yeah, of course. I was just joking. ;)

I love the rest of the post. Very cool. Again, thanks!

[topguide]

01:17 AM on 06/20/2010

The other day I observed this woman putting on makeup with a book cradled on her lap and holding the cellphone to her ear. Another ticking time bomb.

[95flhtcu]

12:47 AM on 06/20/2010

Can't these idiotic clowns at least talk while driving? these people infuriate me. You can tell who they are, they're sitting in the left lane, and they weave all over the road going 10 under the speed limit. I often wonder if these people are really retarded or just so self absorbed that nothing around them matters? the fun part, is pulling up next to them and laying on the horn... they wake up fast! Usually followed by giving me the finger... funny!

[KnightlyScribe]

08:24 PM on 06/20/2010

Yeah, I hear you! Drives me crazy, too! You're too funny....

[cwebster]

12:32 AM on 06/20/2010

ANY cell phone use by the driver (while driving) should be heavily fined and penalized. Use resulting in an accident causing death should result in the driver being charged with vehicular manslaughter at the very least (murder would be more appropriate since the person obviously had no concern for anyone else).
People are bad enough when they are walking around the mall yapping or texting on their phones. They don't pay attention to where they are going and often force other people to go far out of their way to avoid being trampled on. On top of that, I really don't want to listen to someone's inane and pointless conversation...and when they whip out their stupid phones to make or take calls in a line up, I really want to slap some sense into their head. It's time to stop the Pavlovian response that so many people have to a ringing phone. Unless you are an on-call emergency worker, it's unlikely anyone will die if you don't answer your phone right away- and it's extremely rude to answer your phone when you are engaged in a face to face conversation with someone else- especially if you are holding up other people.

For those who seem to think that they are capable of driving while texting or talking on a cell phone (you are not), please read the article at this links:
http://www.livescience.com/culture/091019-cell-phone-clown.html

http://www.physorg.com/news176582314.html

[AnotherAndy]

01:27 AM on 06/20/2010

I'm with you, but you're not going far enough. Heavy fines and license suspensions are ok for cell-talking drivers, I will grudgingly concede, but I think texting drivers should have both their thumbs amputated so they can never do it again. Ok, I'll be reasonable. How about one thumb per offense?

[KnightlyScribe]

08:15 PM on 06/20/2010

lol

[KnightlyScribe]

08:22 PM on 06/20/2010

Webster, you're not making any sense here.

1) "accident causing death...vehicular manslaughter" That's already on the books, my friend.
2) "People are bad enough..." That's your opinion. Perhaps we should ban cell phone use in malls, too, then?? Or perhaps ban them only when they're crowded?? Or on certain days of the week?? Or only if you're carrying x amount of bundles?? Come on!!
3) "They don't pay attention..." Really? NAAAA...
4) "slap some sense..." Why do you care about this enough to cause bodily harm? I mean, who cares if someone's talking on their cell phone?? I never understood why people find this annoying (see my post about the ego, above, because that's where this autoresponse is coming from).
5) Yeah, I'm done here.