Like longtime smokers, driver-texters know their behavior is dangerous. But it’s hard to quit.
In a new study, 18% of drivers said they “cannot resist the urge” to send or check messages while driving. A full 17% of 18-to-34-year-olds admitted to texting and driving “always or often.” Meanwhile, 7% of 35-to-54-year-olds admitted to the same, USA Today reports.
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The survey of 904 drivers showed that drivers resist their more reasonable instincts in favor of texting.
“People are admitting that it’s dangerous to text and drive, but it’s still a behavior that people cannot shake,” said Jeff Cole, founder and director of the University of Southern California Annenberg Center for the Digital Future, which conducted the study along with Bovitz Inc.
Overall, 87% of respondents admitted that it’s dangerous to text or check e-mail while driving.
Forty-four states ban texting while driving, according to USA Today.
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