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More Drivers Texting Despite State Ban

LOS ANGELES (AP) — More California drivers are texting behind the wheel despite a state ban.

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The Automobile Club of Southern California says a sampling of 4,000 vehicles in Orange County found 2.7 percent of the drivers were observed texting. That's twice the rate surveyed in January 2009, when the state's ban went into effect.

Young women -- 4.3 percent -- are most likely to be texting behind the wheel. The survey released Wednesday shows the percentage of young men who text and drive was 2.1 percent.

Auto Club officials say the survey shows better enforcement of the law and higher penalties are needed.

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

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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