October 07, 2009, 3:14 PM — In a new survey, 91 percent of American adults support a ban on texting while driving. Only 6 percent think texting behind the wheel is OK, according to a new Rasmussen Reports telephone poll.
Other findings from the national telephone survey:
- Some 86% of adults between the ages of 18-29 say people should not be allowed to text message while driving.
- Just one percent (1%) of those ages 50 and older think it's okay to text message while driving.
- Twenty-nine percent (29%) of all adults believe text messaging while driving is more dangerous than drinking and driving. Forty-six percent (46%) say drinking and driving is more hazardous, but 24% are not sure.
- In a separate survey late last month, 86% said text messaging is more dangerous than talking on a cell phone while driving.
- But 59% of Americans don't think people should be allowed to talk on a cell phone while driving, up 20 points from late July. Thirty-three percent (33%) disagree.
But it isn't just texting or talking while driving that's controversial. According to Rasmussen:
- Adults are almost evenly divided over whether people should be allowed to eat fast food while driving. Forty-five percent (45%) say people should be allowed to eat while driving, but 43% don't think so. Twelve percent (12%) are not sure.
- In late September, only seven percent (7%) said eating fast food while driving was more dangerous than texting.
Last week, President Obama banned federal employees from text messaging while driving during work or while using a government-owned vehicle. In late September, California enacted a bill banning text messaging and e-mailing while driving.
Seventy-three percent (73%) of adults say they have followed recent news stories about text messaging and driving at least somewhat closely, with 41% following very closely. Eight percent (8%) say they're not following the stories at all.
Seventy-five percent (75%) of adults say Americans are becoming ruder and less civilized. Thirty-six percent (36%) of Americans say road rage is increasing in the United States, while 42% say it's staying about the same.
