1 In 3 Americans Still Text And Drive

State governments around the US have been cracking down on mobile phone use during the past couple of years. Some states even make it illegal to use your mobile phone at all while driving, while some states will allow you to talk, but not text. However, it turns out that 1 in 3 US drivers still text when behind the wheel.

According to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American motorists are far more likely to use their mobile phones while driving than European motorists. The study took a look at two driving behaviors: talking on the phone while driving and reading or sending text messages while driving among motorists between the ages of 18 and 64.

The study found that 69% of US drivers talked on their mobile phone while driving compared to 21% in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, 31% of motorists in the US said that they read or text on their mobile phones while driving, compared to just 15% of drivers in Spain. The study did not offer a reason as to why the US had higher mobile phone usage rates than Europe.

Age-wise, there were some differences in phone usage. Younger drivers were more likely to use their mobile phone while driving, compared to older folks aged 55 to 64. Of course, this isn't too surprising, since the younger generation is more apt to use mobile devices than older people. While older folks may have their own smartphone, many of them don't use it as religiously as younger users.