Eagan, Minnesota - A new survey by the U.S. information web site FindLaw.com reports that nearly half of drivers surveyed between the ages of 18 and 24 have sent a text message, instant message or e-mail while driving. The survey found that 48 per cent of drivers in that age group, and 27 per cent of drivers 25 to 34 admit to texting behind the wheel.

Overall, 17 per cent of all adults surveyed say they have texted while driving.

The incidence is largely a function of age; while younger drivers are more likely to be avid texters even while driving, less than 2 per cent of those age 55 say they have ever sent a text message, instant message or e-mail while driving.

Alaska, Minnesota, New Jersey and Washington recently enacted laws that ban sending text messages while driving; 13 other states are reportedly considering similar legislation.

“The potential legal implications of texting while driving go far beyond the possibility of a mere traffic violation,” said Stephanie Rahlfs, an attorney at FindLaw.com. “In the case of a traffic accident, proof that the driver was texting while driving may be used to help prove liability for an accident, even in states that do not ban texting while driving.”