War on texting

Not just that, but 30 per cent of the texters believe it is safe to text and drive. The alarming results have triggered a fightback by Telstra and a campaign called M8 IT CAN W8 that is fronted by several topline V8 Supercar drivers. The telco is aiming to have 50,000 people committed to breaking their text-and-drive habit before Fatality Free Friday on May 27.

"Despite the dangers, drivers continue to put themselves, their friends, motorists and other road users at risk at an increasing rate," says Telstra's group managing director, Kate McKenzie. She says the alarming result of Telstra's survey also reveals a 12 per cent increase in drivers sending text messages in the 12 months from January 2010 to this year. The M8 IT CAN W8 message is etched into 50,000 thumb bands that will be given away at V8 Supercar events this year, with the free bands also available online at M8 IT CAN WAIT.

"Drivers need to let incoming texts wait and educate their mates not to expect an immediate response if they text when they know you're driving. Quite simply, your mates can wait."

Other results from the Telstra survey show 41 per cent of drivers believe they are too busy to pull over to send texts, 89 say they would be uncomfortable if they were a passenger in a car and the driver was texting while driving, and 83 per cent say they would think twice about texting and driving if a friend or family member was involved in an crash caused by texting while driving.

To find out more, visit Telstra Ideas For Good M8 IT CAN WAIT, or head straight to the official Facebook M8 IT CAN WAIT page to 'thumbs up' this initiative.