More Reasons to Put the Phone Down While Driving

DALLAS — If news last week that more than 50% of Canadian motorists admit to driving distracted didn’t straighten out your hair then a new survey from just to the south may make it fall out.

In fact, if you are in the U.S., when you see the motorist next to you looking at their phone, it’s no longer safe to assume they’re texting.

New research from AT&T shows nearly 4 out of 10 smart phone users tap into social media while driving. Almost 3 out of 10 surf the net.

And surprisingly, this poll of nearly 2,100 people in the U.S. aged 16-65, shows 1 out of 10 even video chat while driving.

Yes, you read correctly 10% of people admit they are looking at the person they are talking to on-screen instead of watching the bloody road.

But, wait there’s more to make you pull your hair out…if you have any left by now.

Let’s not forget taking selfies, with 17% admitting they do it behind the wheel.

In total, 7 out of 10 people engage in smart phone activities while driving. Texting and emailing are still the most prevalent. But other smart phone activity use behind the wheel is now common.

Among social platforms, Facebook tops the list, with more than a quarter of those polled using the app while driving. About 1 out of 7 said they’re on Twitter behind the wheel.

We can see such a Tweet, “Just ran a red light…” followed by a crash.

In response to the findings, AT&T said it will expand the “It Can Wait” campaign from a focus on texting while driving to include other smart phone driving distractions that have emerged.

Here’s a better suggestion. Just change the name of the campaign to “Hang Up the *@&%#$! Phone While Driving”

Other unsettling findings include:

  • 30% of people who post to Twitter while driving do it “all the time.”
  • 22% who access social networks while driving cite addiction as a reason.
  • Of those who shoot videos behind the wheel, 27% think they can do it safely while driving.

 


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