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September 26, 2009

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Text messages a wheel problem

NEARLY one out of five United States drivers surveyed has read or sent a text message while behind the wheel, even though nearly all respondents in an AAA survey released yesterday considered such action unacceptable.

"The new technologies that help us multi-task in our everyday lives and increasingly popular social media sites present a hard-to-resist challenge to the typically safe driver," AAA Foundation Chief Executive Robert Darbelnet said.

"Enacting texting bans for drivers in all 50 states can halt the spread of this dangerous practice among motorists nationwide, and is a key legislative priority for AAA in state capitals."

The group, which provides emergency road services to members and lobbies on automobile issues, was formerly known as the American Automobile Association. The random telephone survey questioned 2,500 US residents 16 and older in April and May.

Although nearly all respondents considered the practice unacceptable, 18 percent said they had sent a text message while driving within a month of being surveyed.



 

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