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Texting while driving is not as dangerous as drinking and driving: U.S. teens


April 13, 2012   by Canadian Underwriter


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Texting while driving is not as dangerous as drinking and driving, according to U.S. teens participating in a 2012 survey commissioned by State Farm.

Harris Interactive conducted a telephone survey of 652 U.S. teens between the ages of 14 and 17 in February, including 280 who have a driver’s license or permit and 362 who plan to get a driver’s license.

A majority (57%) admitted to texting while driving, despite the associated risks. Fewer teens view texting while driving as leading to fatal consequences than, say, drinking while driving.

“Despite academic research indicating the consequences of texting while driving can be as severe as drunk driving, some teens still don’t see it that way,” State Farm announced in a press release announcing the results of the survey.

“Of 14- to 17-year-olds who intend to have or already have a driver’s license, the survey found that 35% strongly agree that if they regularly text and drive they will be killed someday. In contrast, the majority of teens, 57% strongly agree that regularly drinking while driving will be fatal.”

The survey also showed that more teens believe they could get into an accident when drinking while driving than while texting and driving.

Sixty-three per cent strongly agreed they would get into an accident by regularly texting while driving. In comparison, 83% strongly agreed they would get into an accident by regularly drinking and driving.


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