Texting while driving is chemically addictive

A new study commissioned by AT&T finds that 75% of surveyed drivers admit to at least glancing at their phone while behind the wheel. The reason, according to the study’s author Dr. David Greenfield, is that “we experience an elevation of dopamine” when a notification shows up on our phone.

Furthermore 90% of respondents know that texting while driving is dangerous but many find a way to rationalize their activity such as the 30% who believe they can multi-task, even though independent studies have disproven this myth.

AT&T has produced a free Android and iPhone app called “DriveMode” that silences incoming text messages when the vehicle is in motion. Particularly well-suited for teenage drivers, if youngsters deactivate the app, parents receive a text message informing them of the illicit activity.

Read more at Edmunds.com