Despite Laws and Campaigns, 4 Out of 10 Teens Still Texting and Driving

A new study shows that 43% of high school students text while driving.

Over the past few years, the public’s awareness of the dangers of texting and driving has significantly increased. Campaigns have cropped up across the country, driving home the message that this risky activity can increase the risk of crashing by 23 times, and is 7 times more dangerous than drunk driving Over 40 states now have laws prohibiting texting and driving.

Yes, awareness has spread, but 4 out of every 10 teens texting proves awareness is not enough.

 “Researchers analyzed data from about 7,800 U.S. high school students who had their driver's license and took part in the 2011 survey on youth behaviors conducted yearly by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The teens were asked if they had texted while driving in the past 30 days, and 43 percent said they had.

Males were more likely to text while driving than females -- 46 percent versus 40 percent, respectively. The likelihood of texting while driving increased with age: 52 percent of those over age 18, 46 percent of 17-year-olds, 33 percent of 16-year-olds and 26 percent of 15-year-olds.” - US News.com

Those who conducted this study found that indeed, laws banning texting while driving had little effect. 39%  percent of teens in states where texting and driving is illegal admitted to doing it anyway… only 5% less than states where it isn’t illegal. Sure, 5% fewer teens are texting as a result of these laws, and that is undoubtedly saving some lives, but are we satisfied with that?

The reality is that these laws are another great way to build awareness about the dangers of distracted driving, but little more. Drivers need a solution that changes driving habits for good, and the only way to do that is to completely remove the cell phone from a driver’s hands.

ORIGOSafe™ does just that.