61 Percent Of Drivers Admit Texting While Driving Says AT&T

We've long heard about the dangers of text messaging while behind the wheel, yet according to a survey conducted by AT&T, it's still the most prevalent activity by those who admit to engaging in smartphone activities when driving. And how many admitted such behavior? Seven out of 10 surveyed, a staggering number made even more frightening if you consider that some might have been too embarrassed to fess up.

Either way, knowing that at least 70 percent of drivers use their smartphones while navigating the streets in metal boxes on wheels that weigh thousands of pounds is unsettling at best. And here's the thing, even though texting tops the list of smartphone activities that drivers just can't seem to put on hold, it's no longer the only mobile action serving as a dangerous distraction.


A third of drivers who use their smartphone while driving check and/or send emails, while over a quarter surf the net (28 percent) and hop on Facebook (27 percent). The list goes on:

• Snap a selfie/photo: 17 percent
• Twitter: 14 percent
• Instagram: 14 percent
• Shoot a video: 12 percent
• Snapchat: 11 percent
• Video chat: 10 percent

AT&T is bringing these and other statistics related to smartphone use while driving to light as it expands the "It Can Wait" campaign, an initiative to bring awareness to the dangers of using mobile devices behind the wheel.

"When we launched It Can Wait five years ago, we pleaded with people to realize that no text is worth a life," said Lori Lee, AT&T’s global marketing officer. "The same applies to other smartphone activities that people are doing while driving. For the sake of you and those around you, please keep your eyes on the road, not on your phone."

Since launching, AT&T says the It Can Wait campaign has inspired more than 6.5 million pledges not to text and drive. By expanding the initiative, AT&T will now seek to get drivers to pledge to put down the smartphone altogether.

It's also worth mentioning that May is motorcycle awareness month. The timing of AT&T's renewed focus on the It Can Wait campaign is especially meaningful for two-wheeled motorists who have only their safety gear to rely on if a distracted driver happens to barrel into them.