Majority ignore risks of texting while driving

In spite of being aware of the dangers of texting while driving, 4 out of 5 college students continue to send and receive text messages on the road, a new study has found.

Garold Lantz and Sandra Loeb of the McGowan School of Business, at King's College, in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, found that male drivers are more likely to engage in texting while driving, but consider themselves more proficient drivers than others and so less likely to endanger themselves or others while doing so.

Analysis indicates 'texting impulsiveness' is positively associated with people who text frequently and those who text while driving, the team reported.

Earlier studies have suggested that texting while driving is on a par with driving while intoxicated with alcohol as a significant risk factor for highway accidents.

"There seems to be a mentality that use of electronic devices is dangerous for everyone but 'me'," the team said.

The study was published in the International Journal of Sustainable Strategic Management this month.