There are some startling new statistics about distracted driving. A new Consumer Reports poll says 63 percent of young people admit they use a handheld phone while driving. Thirty percent say they've sent text messages while behind the wheel.
That doesn't mean they think it's safe. Despite the number of drivers who admit to using a cell phone behind the wheel, 30 percent of those under 30 think it's very dangerous.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood calls distracted driving a deadly epidemic. In 2009 alone, some 5,500 people in the U.S. were killed in distracted driving accidents.
If that weren't enough to get your attention, think about this. According to Consumer Reports, car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens. And that's not all. Teens are involved in three times as many deadly crashes as other drivers. Texting makes them 23 times more likely to crash.
To combat the problem, the U.S. government has launched this website along with a public service announcement to get people to hang up while driving.
And they are making the punishments even more severe. Just last month on CNY Central.com, we told you how if you're caught talking or texting on your phone while driving, you now face a fine and two points on your license.
Is that enough to get you to put away your phone while behind the wheel? Do you think the punishment is appropriate or should it be more severe? Have you ever talked without a hands-free device or texted while driving? What would get you to stop? Leave your thoughts below.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this article.
