In a study published on Monday, one-fourth of US teenagers aged 16 and 17 have admitted to sending text messages while driving and over 40 percent have had a cell phone conversation while behind the wheel.
Twenty-six percent of teenagers aged 16 and 17 have texted while driving, according to the survey by the Pew Internet and American Life Project -- about the same rate as found in separate studies conducted among adults.The survey found boys and girls were equally likely to text while driving.
Forty-three percent of teens aged 16 and 17 have talked on a cellphone while driving, the study by the Washington-based Pew found.
According to Pew, 82 percent of teens aged 16 and 17 have a cellphone and 76 percent of them send text messages.
Forty-eight percent of teens aged 12 to 17 said they have been in a car when the driver was texting and 40 percent said they have been in a car when the driver used a cellphone in a way that put themselves or others in danger.
A number of US states have banned text messaging or talking on a handheld cellphone while driving and the US Senate is considering legislation to crack down on so-called "distracted driving."
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An estimated 515,000 people were injured in such crashes.
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Source-AFP
TAN