Forget teenagers. Adults are the biggest texting-while-driving problem in the USA. What's worse — they know it's wrong. Almost half of all adults admit to texting while driving in a survey by AT&T provided to USA TODAY, compared with 43% of teenagers. More than 98% of adults — almost all of them — admit they know it's wrong.

Have you ever read or sent a text message while driving and then had to slam on the brakes to avoid hitting another car? Or have you missed an exit or turn because you were distracted by a phone call? It only takes seconds for a crash to happen.

Every day in the U.S., 9 people are killed and more than 1,060 are injured in crashes that involve distracted driving, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Using a cell phone, texting, and eating are all forms of distracted driving, but so are in-vehicle technologies such as navigation systems.

When you get behind the wheel, you run an inherent risk of getting into a car accident even if you’re a responsible driver. According to the National Safety Council, the odds of getting into a car accident are about 1 in 6,100.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an estimated 32,310 motor vehicle traffic fatalities occurred in 2011.  With snowfall and the potential for icy roads now part of many forecasts, it’s even more important for drivers to be cautious and follow the rules of the road. To remind commuters to avoid hazardous driving behaviors, Cintas Corporation (NASDAQ: CTAS), a leader in first-aid and safety products, has identified the seven worst driving offenders.

Getting pulled over for “buzzed” driving could cost a driver around $10,000 in fines, legal fees, and increased insurance rates, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which has launched a public awareness campaign to highlight the dangers of impaired driving.

The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) says an estimated 43.6 million people are expected to be on the road this Thanksgiving – in addition to the millions who will be driving as part of their job.

The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit in federal court seeking to enforce a final decision and order issued to North Canton-based trucking company Star Air and owner Robert R. Custer for terminating two truck drivers in violation of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act's whistleblower provisions.

With laws in 39 states prohibiting texting while driving, there’s considerable agreement that the practice is dangerous. How to enforce such bans, though, is a process that is still under development.

The National Safety Council has announced Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety and ADEPT Driver as the winners of its 4th annual Teen Driving Safety Leadership Awards, supported by the General Motors Foundation.