Friday, December 9, 2011

Texting While Driving Increased Despite Bans

The Associated Press reported that according to a survey, drivers sending text messages while behind the wheel increased 50 percent in 2010. The findings were based on a national survey of 6,000 drivers conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.  


Two out of 10 drivers admit to sending text messages while driving and most of those drivers are young adults. The survey revealed that nearly one in every 100 car drivers was texting, emailing, surfing the Web or otherwise using a hand-held electronic device. The Associated Press article said that many drivers don't think it is dangerous when they text, but feel it is dangerous when others do it. 


Thirty-five states, including Massachusetts, have adopted bans on texting while driving. The Massachusetts law went into effect in 2010 and bans the use of sending, writing and reading text messages while driving. Adult drivers are allowed to dial numbers to make phone calls, but drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using their cell phones in any manner while driving. The exception is for emergency use, such as calling 911 or calling for roadside assistance. A driver caught texting faces a $100 fine for the first offense, $250 for the second offense, and $500 for the third offense. 


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