The following is a transcript of a report by Team 4 investigative reporter Paul Van Osdol that first aired May 2, 2007, on WTAE Channel 4 Action News at 5 p.m.
A recent insurance industry survey found teens said texting is their No. 1 driving distraction, but they still do it, even though the consequences can be deadly.
Last September, on a road in Illinois, bicyclist Matt Wilhelm was struck and killed by a vehicle driven by a teen who was driving while downloading ring tones onto her cell phone.
“I couldn’t believe it,” said Gloria Willhelm, Matt’s mother. “I just couldn’t believe anybody would do that.”
A Pittsburgh driver’s education teacher, David Aites, said he doesn’t know how anyone could do it.
“You’ve got to be totally crazy,” said Aites.
“I’m dumbfounded to hear 30 percent of young people who drive a vehicle say they text message while they drive,” said Rep. Joe Markosek. “That is frightening.”
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