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More Drivers Texting Despite Ban

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Despite a law banning the activity, the Auto Club says the number of people who text while driving in Southern California has roughly doubled since it went into effect.

An Automobile Club of Southern California survey of drivers found that the percentage of people who text or use a device such as a smart phone while driving has gone up to 2.7 percent, about double where it was when the state's ban went into effect in January 2009.

Tougher penalties are needed to discourage people from texting and driving, the Auto Club's study concluded.

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"Stronger penalties, more driver awareness and education and heightened enforcement are needed to significantly reduce one of the most dangerous activities a driver can do while on the road," said Steve Finnegan, the Auto Club's government affairs manager. "The rise in texting indicates that the growth of texting overall has outpaced current enforcement efforts and overcome the current law, which should be strengthened to enhance safety."

Finnegan said drivers who are caught texting are fined $20 for a first offense, and no points are assessed to the driver's record.

According to the survey, young women are most likely to be texting behind the wheel, at 4.3 percent. The percentage of young men who text and drive was 2.1 percent, the survey found.

(©2010 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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