Adults Text as Much as Teenagers

As the US offensive to ban texting nationwide continues, studies on the subject keep on pouring in, showing results on anything from what people text while behind the wheel to who is more prone to text and, you know, get distracted.

The latest such study comes from Pew Research Center, a company which specializes in polls, surveys and such. Their study showed that, somewhat contrary to popular opinion, it is not only teenagers who text while driving, but adults as well.

"While previous research has shown that one in four teen drivers text at the wheel, this data suggests that adults are now just as likely to engage in this risky behavior,” Mary Madden, senior research specialist at the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project was quoted as saying by Live Science.

According to the data gathered in the study, 60 percent of adults talk on the phone while driving, while in the teenager's case that percentage is 43 percent. 17 percent of the adults questioned said they've hit another car or road object while talking or texting.

“Adults may be the ones sounding the alarm on the dangers of distracted driving, but they don’t always set the best example themselves,” Madden added.

The Pew Research Center is however less frightening than the one released in May by GN Netcom, a wireless headset manufacturer. According to its findings, people prefer to do anything but driving, while... driving: 29 percent kiss, 15 percent have sex and 5 percent play video games.