Study: Social Media, Selfies New Road Drug

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Just because the driver next to you is on the phone—doesn't mean they are texting.

In fact, according to new research from AT&T, 4-10 smartphone users are tapping into social media while driving, almost 3-in-10 surf the net, and 1-in-10 video chat.

The research shows 7-in-10 people use their smartphones while driving. Texting and emailing, however, remain the most popular smartphone-related activity behind-the-wheel.

Among social platforms, AT&T says Facebook is the most popular and about 1-in-7 said they're trolling Twitter while driving.

According to AT&T, smartphone activities people say they do while driving include:

Text²(61%)
Email²(33%)
Surf the net (28%)
Facebook³(27%)
Snap a selfie/photo (17%)
Twitter³(14%)
Instagram³(14%)
Shoot a video (12%)
Snapchat³(11%)
Video chat (10%)

Other unsettling findings include:

62% keep their smartphones within easy reach while driving.⁴
30% of people who post to Twitter while driving do it "all the time."
22% who access social networks while driving cite addiction as a reason.
Of those who shoot videos behind the wheel, 27% think they can do it safely while driving.

AT&T will use research findings to expand its "It Can Wait" campaign in hopes of raising awareness of the dangers of smartphone use behind the wheel—and to encourage life-saving behavior change.

For more information, visit ItCanWait.com.

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