Incredible as it may seem, results from an online survey show an alarming number of drivers who use the Web while driving-this despite a national campaign to curb distracted driving.
In the November survey, more than 19 percent reported accessing the Internet on a cell phone at least once a week while driving. That compares with 74 percent who reported making or receiving calls at least once weekly while driving and 35 percent who reported sending or receiving text messages at least that frequently.
Most respondents who said they use the Internet while driving reported that they engage in these activities when stopped at a stop light or stopped in heavy traffic. They also commonly said they access the Internet when driving alone, during daylight hours, or on long drives on the interstate.
In 2009, 5,474 people were killed and 448,000 injured in distracted driving crashes; 18% of the fatalities involved cell phones as a distraction, and the under-20 age group was the most heavily involved, federal data show. Last year, 11 states enacted bans on texting while driving; 30 states prohibit it for all drivers, and eight more have banned it for novice drivers.
(Source: PIA Connection 03-2011)
