October 29, 2009
10/29: Texting While Driving
There’s good news for public safety officials. 82% of Americans report they never text while driving. 9% say it’s seldom they text while they drive, and 5% admit to doing it sometimes. 4%, though, say they often text while behind the wheel.
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Younger Americans are the culprits when it comes to this touchy practice. About one in five residents under 30 admit to at least sometimes texting while driving. Another 18% do so but not very often. 60% say they never text while they drive. In contrast, less than 4% of Americans between 45 and 59 years old say they text while they drive at least sometimes, and just 2% of those 60 and older admit to doing the same.
There is little difference between the sexes on this question. 10% of men report they text while behind the wheel at least sometimes compared with 8% of women.
Should there be a law banning texting while driving? 90% of Americans say, “Yes.” Even 88% of younger residents say the practice should be outlawed. They are in agreement with their elders on this question. 92% of those residents believe texting while driving should be punishable by law.
Table: Texting While Driving
Table: Ban Texting While Driving?