California Study Finds that College Students Text and Drive

July 20, 2009

A recent study, performed by California State University, Fresno, found that many college students use cell phones to text or check email while they are driving, even though they know that California law strictly forbids it.

The study consisted of interviews with 409 cell phone-using college students. It was found that 87 percent of the interviewees knew that using a cell phone without a hands-free device is grounds for a ticket in California. Just under 50 percent said that they continue to text or check email, even though they know that it is against the law.

It was also found that more than two in three drivers who do check their email or text messages have experienced some adverse consequences of doing so, such as an accident or a ticket and a fine.

Law enforcement agencies in California and around the country have been working for years to keep drivers from being distracted by their cell phones and PDAs. If all cell phone users stopped texting while driving, there would be a much lower rate of automobile accidents in the United States.