New Poll Shows More Adults Than Teenagers Text While Driving

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Distracted driving accidents claim thousands of lives every year.

While some may assume teenagers are the most likely to text and drive, a new poll has found otherwise.

The results may surprise you.

You've seen the horrifying commercials and you've heard the scary statistics. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said about nine people die every day in accidents caused by distracted drivers.

But many people just can't stop texting while driving, even though they know its wrong. A new study reveals most of the culprits are not who you may think -- they aren't teenagers, they are adults.

AT&T polled 1,000 adults. Nearly half, 49 percent, said they text and drive. That is compared to 43 percent of teens who do so. The poll also showed that 98 percent of those who responded said they know it's not safe to text and drive.

"Oh I've gotten yelled at by my wife tremendously. People need quick responses, time is money," one man said.

Last October, CBS 2's Amy Dardashtian hit the road with New York State Police and spotted dozens of adults talking and texting while driving, even though it is banned in the state and at least 39 others.

"I've heard so many people being killed because they were texting or they killed somebody else," said tourist Steve Fairs-Hall.

Now more than 1 million people are fueling the fight by logging onto social media to join AT&T's "It Can Wait" campaign and pledging to quit the dangerous habit.

Twila Conklin said it's just not worth it

"I know a lot of people who have actually died in accidents because of it, so to me, it's just like don't touch that," said Conklin.

Conklin said no text is as precious as a life.

Researchers said one text takes your eyes off the road for about four-and-a-half seconds and makes you 23 times more likely to crash.

Do you text and drive? Let us know in the comments section below...