Texting isnt the only thing distracting drivers these days. Social media and video chatting are becoming the latest danger on the roads.
Thats according to a new AT&T report, which says seven out of every 10 smartphone users interact on their phone while theyre driving. Of those people, 61 percent report texting, which has widely been accepted as the biggest distraction on the road.
But the rise of social media means a rise in other distractions 27 percent reported using Facebook while driving, 14 percent admitted to using Twitter and Instagram, 11 percent confessed to Snapchatting and 17 percent have snapped a selfie while behind the wheel, the report revealed.
AT&T commissioned the report as part of its It Can Wait campaign, which was originally launched to curb the prevalence of texting and driving. Thanks to the research results, AT&T plans to expand the campaign to discourage smartphone distractions of all kinds.
When we launched It Can Wait five years ago, we pleaded with people to realize that no text is worth a life. The same applies to other smartphone activities that people are doing while driving, said AT&Ts global marketing officer Lori Lee. For the sake of you and those around you, please keep your eyes on the road, not on your phone.
Other startling statistics: 62 percent of those surveyed reported keeping their cellphones within reach while driving, 22 percent of those who use social media claim they do so because theyre addicted, and 27 percent of those who shoot video believe its safe to do so.
The cellular network plans to launch its message through a virtual tour this summer with the help of Twitter, Samsung, Bose and Google to help people understand that its not possible to drive safely while using a smartphone, according to an AT&T release.
Thats according to a new AT&T report, which says seven out of every 10 smartphone users interact on their phone while theyre driving. Of those people, 61 percent report texting, which has widely been accepted as the biggest distraction on the road.
But the rise of social media means a rise in other distractions 27 percent reported using Facebook while driving, 14 percent admitted to using Twitter and Instagram, 11 percent confessed to Snapchatting and 17 percent have snapped a selfie while behind the wheel, the report revealed.
AT&T commissioned the report as part of its It Can Wait campaign, which was originally launched to curb the prevalence of texting and driving. Thanks to the research results, AT&T plans to expand the campaign to discourage smartphone distractions of all kinds.
When we launched It Can Wait five years ago, we pleaded with people to realize that no text is worth a life. The same applies to other smartphone activities that people are doing while driving, said AT&Ts global marketing officer Lori Lee. For the sake of you and those around you, please keep your eyes on the road, not on your phone.
Other startling statistics: 62 percent of those surveyed reported keeping their cellphones within reach while driving, 22 percent of those who use social media claim they do so because theyre addicted, and 27 percent of those who shoot video believe its safe to do so.
The cellular network plans to launch its message through a virtual tour this summer with the help of Twitter, Samsung, Bose and Google to help people understand that its not possible to drive safely while using a smartphone, according to an AT&T release.
