A recent Pew Internet and American Life Project reported that teenagers text most—no news there.

They also text while driving because texting is like talking to them. What’s the difference?

Distraction. That’s the difference.

To be fair, adults are also big-time texters as they go about their work days.

There are many, many causes of distracted driving. Texting while driving is only one.

However, when Oprah speaks, perhaps even the texters will listen.

She insisted her employees stop texting while driving on company business. She heard all kinds of stories.

What happened to just driving, she asks? Indeed.

The New York Times

…”At least 6,000 people were killed by distracted drivers in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the number is rising. A lot of good work already is happening to try to change this. President Obama signed an executive order banning texting while driving on federal business. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is pushing for tougher laws and more enforcement. States are passing laws, too. Local groups are gaining strength, spurred by too many deaths close to home.

“But we are hesitant to change. I saw this firsthand when I instituted a policy at my company that forbids employees from using their phones for company business while driving. I heard countless stories about how hard it was for people to stop talking and texting while driving. Everyone is busy. Everyone feels she needs to use time in the car to get things done. But what happened to just driving? (Emphasis added)

“It was difficult for my employees to adjust, but they have. Life is more precious than taking a call or answering an e-mail message. Because even though we think we can handle using our cellphone in the car, the loss of thousands of lives has shown we can’t.”

Source: New York Times, April 24, 2010