Police warn drivers about texting and driving

SEATTLE -- With a recent study showing that an alarming number of adults admit to texting and driving, local police are trying to warn motorists about the potentially deadly cost.

In fact, Redmond police officers recently issued more than 100 tickets for distracted driving.

“Anything that distracts your attention from the road and what’s going on in front of you and around you, you’re endangering yourself and the people around you," Redmond police spokesman Jim Bove said. "Many of the people we pulled over and cited, they know that they were doing something wrong; they even saw the warnings we put out a week ahead of time, yet they still did it.”

Jennifer Burroughs, the mother of a teenage girl who is about to get behind the wheel, said she tries to lead by example.

“Sometimes I think I’ve been driving for so many years that I can do this safely," Burroughs said. "It’s probably not true and I don’t want her to see me texting so I’m trying to cut back.”

A recent study by AT&T showed that nearly all of the adults who responded to its survey acknowledged it’s bad to text and drive, but half of them said they still do it. More adults than teens admit to texting and driving.

One driver said, “I know I shouldn’t, so I feel guilty when I do; but I do occasionally.”

If a $124 ticket isn’t enough to keep drivers from texting behind the wheel, police have an easy remedy to kick the texting and driving habit to the curb.

“I think the best suggestion is to put it (the cell phone) out of arms' reach so you’re not even tempted to grab it while you’re driving,” Bove said.