Many Young Drivers Text, Talk Behind Wheel Despite Knowing Risks
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Jupiterimages/Thinkstock(YONKERS, N.Y.) — Most young drivers are aware that talking or texting behind the wheel is dangerous, but that hasn’t stopped many from doing it.
A new survey out Tuesday by Consumer Reports found that while 80 percent of 16- to 21-year-olds polled said texting or using apps while driving poses serious risks, almost a third — 29 percent — admitted to texting as they drove in the last 30 days. Another 8 percent said they used apps while driving and 7 percent confessed to using e-mail or social media.
The magazine also found that although 60 percent of young drivers surveyed considered talking on the phone while driving to be dangerous, half of them said they did it in the last 30 days.
Despite the findings, there are some safety-minded young people on the road as Liza Barth, an associate editor for Consumers Reports, points out.
“We found that about 50 percent said that they are speaking up for their safety, if they see some of their friends using these things behind the wheel,” Barth said.
What’s more, “74 percent have tried to stop their behaviors and they’ve read about the problem; 61 percent have heard or read about the problem of distracted driving; and 40 percent said the laws have helped them reduce or stop some of the behaviors,” Barth said.
Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio