Employees who text while driving can have a huge impact on a company’s bottom line. From higher insurance premiums to lawsuits and liability for accidents and injuries, the cost can be staggering.

The problem for many companies: IT and HR folks could have the impression that the practice of driving and texting is just a teen phenomenon.

Though texting while driving is often assumed to be a big problem for teenagers, it turns out adults are the more likely culprits.

Nearly half (47%) of adults admit to texting in the car, according to the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project — that’s compared to 34% of teens.

The study also revealed that 74% of adults have talked on a cell phone while driving, compared to 52% of teenagers.

Research (and common sense) has shown the use of a cell phone in the car can lead to traffic accidents — and court cases have shown businesses can be held liable when an employee’s work-related calls or texts cause accidents.

Especially if the company provides cell phones for users, make sure you have a policy against using them in the car.

Tags: costs, driving, Pew, study, texting