Mobile usage – especially texting while driving – continues to grow.

And its only going to get worse as smart phones make it easier for users to instantly connect to their networks. If you’re doing it – stop. If you have younger drivers, or future drivers, in the house – do the right thing and be a good influence on them.

Take a look at some of these alarming statistics on distracted driving from Distraction.gov:

* In 2008, nearly 6,000 people died on American roadways in crashes that involved distracted driving. Distracted driving can take many forms. It applies to anything that takes your eyes off the road for more than two seconds, takes your hands off the steering wheel, or interrupts your concentration while driving.
* The use of cell phones or other electronic devices while driving is a significant and growing concern, particularly since it has increased exponentially in recent years.
* Recent research indicates that texting while driving represents an even greater risk than talking on cell phone. Texting while driving involves a convergence of visual, manual and cognitive distractions that make this practice especially hazardous and a potentially deadly.
* Young drivers are especially at risk. Their lack of driving experience can contribute to critical misjudgments if they become distracted, yet they text more than any other age group. It’s a trend that poses a growing danger, and therefore it’s important to address this issue now.
* The U.S. Department of Transportation convened a Distracted Driving Summit in late September that brought senior transportation officials, elected officials, safety advocates, law enforcement representatives and academics to Washington, D.C., to help identify the specific factors involved in distracted driving and discuss how to combat it.
* The Summit addressed distracted driving across all modes of surface transportation, including rail, transit, commercial trucks and passenger vehicles. One of the key outcomes of the Summit was a new directive from President Obama that impacts federal employees and contractors.
* On October 1, 2009, President Obama signed Executive Order 13513, Federal Leadership on Reducing Text Messaging While Driving. Among other things, the Order prohibits all federal employees and contractors from engaging in text messaging while:
o Driving vehicles that are owned, leased or rented by the government.
o Driving privately owned vehicles while on official Government business.
o Using electronic equipment supplied by the government (including cell phones, Blackberrys and other electronic devices) to text while driving any vehicle.

Please share this with someone who can’t seem to put down their mobile device while driving.

[/caption] Mobile usage - especially texting while driving - continues to grow. And its only going to get worse as smart phones make it easier for users to instantly connect to their networks. If you're doing it - stop. If you have younger drivers, or future drivers, in the house - do the right thing and be a good influence on them. Take a look at some of these alarming statistics on distracted driving fro" data-image="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c2/Cell_phone_use_while_driving.jpg/300px-Cell_phone_use_while_driving.jpg" data-site="Auction Direct Used Car Blog">