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Nine of 10 Americans Would Support New Laws to Ban Driving While Texting, According to New Poll


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August 7, 2007 By

Nine out of ten (89 percent) American adults believe that sending text messages or emails while driving is distracting, dangerous and should be outlawed, according to a new survey commissioned by mobile messaging service Pinger, Inc. and conducted by Harris Interactive. Similar numbers (91 percent) of adults thought that drivers distracted by sending text messages or mobile email were as dangerous as drivers who had a couple of drinks. 

Even though the overwhelming majority of adults thought driving while texting is dangerous, two in three adults (66 percent) who drive a car and have used text messaging said they had read text messages or emails while they were driving, and 57 percent of the same population admitted to sending text messages or emails from behind the wheel.

"We all know that distracted driving is dangerous, especially when drivers take their eyes off the road to text message," said Greg Woock, CEO of Pinger. "But, as these numbers show, people want to stay connected when they're on the go. Pinger allows drivers to be productive in a way that's safer."

Combined with a hands-free headset, Pinger's instant voice messaging service is a safer way for drivers to stay in touch from the road. By simply calling Pinger, saying the name of a contact, speaking their message, and then hanging up, drivers are able to send a message to any U.S. mobile phone while keeping their eyes on the road.

State governments are starting to address the dangers of drivers distracted by text messaging. The state of Washington passed the nation's first ban on texting while driving in May of 2007 and at least six other states including New York, California and Florida are considering similar legislation.


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