THE SURVEY SAYS: Texting while driving increased 50 percent last year. Two out of 10 drivers say they’ve sent messages from behind the wheel ? and that spikes much higher among young adults.
THE BACKDROP: This comes despite a rush by states to ban the practice. Last month, Pennsylvania became the 35th state to forbid it.
COMBATTING THAT: Federal officials say pilot projects have produced significant reductions in distracted driving by combining stepped-up ticketing of drivers with high-profile public education campaigns.