Texting teen crashes at 100km/h

A Tauranga teenager who crashed his car into a tree while travelling at more than 100km/h failed to notice a corner because he was texting, police say.

The 18 year-old was not injured the crash, which happened on Omanawa Road about 7am this morning when he was driving home from work.

But his car was a write off.

Police were astonished that despite the recent high profile over the dangers of driving and texting, people were still doing it, Inspector Karl Wright St Clair, of Tauranga, said.

It was likely the teenager would face charges, Mr Wright St Clair said.

From November it will be illegal for drivers to text or use hand held cell phones.

Although the legislation was not yet in place there were currently provisions for serious charges to be laid especially when an accident happened, Mr Wright St Clair said.

- NZPA