While most Texas drivers agree texting behind the wheel is dangerous, more than 44 percent admitted to doing just that in the past 30 days, according to a new study by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute. It is banned in San Antonio, but efforts to ban it statewide have failed. You see people all the time swerving around, and they have their face down obviously on the phone, said Tim Strotkamp. Even though he supports a ban, he admitted he has done it. I try to do it as minimally as possible and wait until Im stopped or something like that, he said. His wife said he is an offender as well. I run my business from my cellphone, so sometimes when Im out and about I need to answer a text right away, Judy Strotkamp said. I know I shouldnt. April is Distracted Driving Awareness month, and USAA, which sponsored the A&M study, is on a campaign to educate people to the dangers multi-tasking while driving. Its not just teenagers, said Joel Camarano, USAA assistant vice president of property and casualty underwriting. All age groups are doing it. Teens, however, can be a challenge. They think they can do it. They think they are invincible, Camarano said. They absolutely are expert texters, but frankly they are new drivers as well. He said teens often tell him they see their parents text while driving. The bottom line is parents are setting the example, he said. If their teenagers see them doing it, then its OK for them to do it. USAA is offering a chance for drivers to pledge to not text and drive through itcanwait.usaa. Millions of people have taken the pledge. As part of their educational campaign, USAA uses a simulator where drivers can drive a virtual course and try to read and send text messages. For a list of recent stories Marilyn Moritz has done, click here. Click here to view more videos on KSAT. #KSATnews #KSATnews
Posted on: Mon, 28 Apr 2014 01:59:09 +0000
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