We all know that driving and text-messaging don’t mix. And the topic has gotten national recognition, with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently calling it a “national epidemic.”

Many states have passed or are passing legislation to ban the practice, but that’s not stopping compulsive texters.

But work pressures have way of making people take foolish risks. And many are. In a 2007 survey, tech research company IDC noted that 70% of the owners smartphones (BlackBerrys, iPhones and the like) admit to using them in the cars on a regular basis. Since the large majority of commuters ride alone, few of them are presumably sitting in the passenger seat. Add to commuters the large number of salespeople, service workers, and delivery drivers who are tethered more and more by software to the home office. And the growth of such devices has exploded since them, so presumably it’s getting worse.

There are no very good statistics on accidents caused by inattentive text messages and email readers. But a recent Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study found drivers just talking on a cell phone are 1.3 times more likely as non-distracted drivers to get in an accident or near-accident, while those dialing a cell phone are 2.8 times more accident probe. Worst, according to the study, is texting:  “Text messaging made the risk of crash or near-crash event 23.2 times as high as non-distracted driving.”

Why do people do it? For many, the need to be on top of what’s going on in the office has become a must. The expectation is that calls will be answered, emails turned around on the spot. Add the tempting applications for weather reports, driving directions, and sports scores that can tempt the bored, lost or anxious commuter.

But don’t worry. If you get in an accident thanks to smartphone distraction (and survive), there’s an iPhone app (iWreck) to help you collect accident data for the insurance company.

Tags: driving, texting