New findings from a Texas study show texting while driving is more dangerous than previously thought.
Researchers say reading or writing a text message behind the wheel can more than double a driver's reaction time. The study, released Wednesday, was conducted by the Texas Transportation Institute.
Findings showed reaction times slowed from one to two seconds with no texting activity, to three to four seconds while texting. It found very little difference in response times between a driver composing a message and reading one.
Researchers studied 42 drivers between the ages of 16 and 54 on a test-track driving course in vehicles equipped with a flashing light and a monitoring system.
The Governors Highway Safety Association says 34 states have adopted texting and driving bans.
