Practice What You Preach: Parents Aren't Hanging Up The Phone While Driving

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Nationwide, one out of every 10 deadly accidents involve distracted drivers. Now, a new study released this week finds that teens -- and not their parents -- and turning off their cell phones while driving.

Gigi Barnett has more.

One in four drivers say they've used their phone while in traffic in the last month.

According to an AAA study, the drivers are not as young as you would think.

"It was surprising to note that 25 to 39-year-olds actually admitted to using their cell phones while driving more often, as well as texting," said Ragina Averella, AAA.

The study, released this week, also discovered that about 66 percent of all drivers admitted to using their phones, even though they know the risks that come with taking a call or sending a text.

Some drivers say they're not surprised that it's the adults who can't turn their phones off.

"Especially when they're picking their kids up from school, they're sitting at the light texting or with their phones up to their ear.  They need to practice what they preach," said Tammy Lovoie, driver.

"I do see people doing it, and they're older like myself. So it's disturbing," said Marc Postman, driver.

Only about 20 percent of teen drivers say they talk and text while behind the wheel. AAA says that's still too much.

"The reality is texting while driving, talking on the phone while driving, still remain very deadly behavior and we'd like to see that no one do it, despite your age," said Averella.

AAA says drivers 60 and older are the least likely to use their cell phone while behind the wheel.

Meanwhile, nearly all of the drivers surveyed say they know that using the cell phone in traffic is dangerous.

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