Greater risk in texting and driving

Texting while driving increases the risk of a crash much more than previous studies have concluded, with motorists taking their eyes off the road longer than they do when talking or listening on their cellphones.

The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute used cameras to observe light-vehicle drivers and truckers for more than 9.6 million km.

It found that when drivers of heavy trucks texted, their collision risk was 23 times greater than when not texting.

Dialling a cellphone and using or reaching for an electronic device increased risk of collision about six times in cars and trucks.