By now it is likely that most drivers in the state of Pennsylvania are aware that distracted driving is an issue throughout the world. It exists anywhere there are drivers and activities to pull their attention away from the road. A problem arises when the distracted driving causes a car accident to occur. In the worst cases these accidents result in death.

While behaviors constituting distracted driving take many forms, the one that most often makes the news these days involves the use of handheld electronic devices such as cell phones. Though people use cell phones in countries around the world, according to a recently report released by the U.S. federal government, American drivers tend to more often used them while driving as compared to Germany, France, Spain and Great Britain.

According to the survey, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, close to 69 percent of drivers surveyed in the U.S. admitted to using their cell phone to have a conversation while driving within the previous month. The next closest countries surveyed, France and Germany, reported 40 percent of drivers participating in the activity. The results were similar where texting or sending other messages is concerned. Twice as many Americans reported participating in that behavior as compared to Great Britain and Spain.

Perhaps not surprisingly, younger drivers were more likely to engage in distracted driving behaviors. This was true regardless of the country in which they drive.

While it is not clear how many fatal accidents occurred in the European countries as a result of the texting while driving, numbers in the US are rising. Most would agree that trend indicates it is a matter that needs to be addressed.

Source: NPR, "Americans More Distracted Behind The Wheel Than Europeans," Rob Stein, March 14, 2013