texting-1More adults text while driving than teens — at least enough that are willing to admit it.

That’s according to a new AT&T study provided to USA Today, which found that out of 1,011 adults, 49 percent admitted to texting while driving. That’s six percent more than the 43 percent of teens who admit to texting and driving.

Perhaps even more staggering, 98 percent of those adults know it’s wrong yet still do it, and 60 percent say they weren’t doing it three years ago.

Talking on a handheld cell phone is banned in 10 states, while texting is banned in 39 states. Both laws are active in Washington, which was the first state to ban text messaging while driving back in 2007.

You can land a $124 fine in this state if found driving distracted because of your cell phone. According to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, use of wireless devices contributed to 1,300 crashes from 2006 to 2010.

Texting while driving is actually a whole lot worse than drunk driving. The WTC says those who text and drive are six times more likely to be in an accident than a drunk driver.

GeekWire columnist Monica Guzman explored the problem last year in this popular post, while the idea of punishing texting while walking has also made headlines.

Previously on GeekWire: Glympse inks another hands-free location sharing deal, this time with BMW

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