Survey shows 42 percent of Illinois teens texting while driving

Posted on September 8, 2018
Just less than 50 percent of high school students admitted to texting while driving according to a Journal of Adolescent Health study (WJBC File Photo)

 

By Benjamin Yount/Illinois Radio Network

Forty-two percent of Illinois high school students admitted to texting while driving, according to a recent study.

The study, published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, surveyed more than 100,000 students in 2015 from across the nation who were 14 and older.  Of those students, 38 percent admitted to texting while driving.

“The state has taken an aggressive approach to combat texting while driving,” said Henry Haupt, deputy press secretary for the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office.

Legislation initiated by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White this year further strengthens the state’s efforts to tackle texting while driving.  First-time convictions for texting while driving do not currently appear on a driver’s record because it is not considered a moving violation.

South Dakota had the highest percentage with 64 percent of high school students texting and driving, according to the study. Maryland had the least with 26 percent of high school students admitting to texting while driving.

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