Risky Behavior: Too Many Teens Text And Drive

In Connecticut, 50.9 percent of teens interviewed admitted to texting and/or emailing while driving, according to the 2011 school health survey. And about 53 percent of teen drivers admitted to talking on their cell phones while driving, the survey conducted by the state Department of Public Health showed. Connecticut’s numbers are above the national average, according to data compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.   The CDC reported that just under 45 percent of teens nationally admitted to texting while driving and 46 percent said that they talked on their cell phones while operating a motor vehicle. Connecticut law prohibits drivers from talking or texting on handheld cell phones while operating a motor vehicle. A University of Connecticut student, who identified himself as Chris, admitted to talking on his cellphone while driving, but never texting.  But, Chris said that he has seen lots of teenagers texting while driving.  “It’s a little too much,’’ he added.