Update: It's not just Thais. American drivers text, surf too.

A survey reported yesterday found Thais drivers were among Asia's heaviest smartphone users. Well, an even bigger survey has been released, revealing US drivers are just as guilty.

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AFP photo

Americans tweet, text, surf ... while driving

WASHINGTON, AFP – It's not just texting: American motorists admit to surfing the Web, posting tweets and even taking selfies while behind the wheel, a new survey shows.

The poll released by AT&T as part of a safety campaign found almost seven out of 10 US smartphone users acknowledged some kind of smartphone activity while driving.

That included 61 percent who texted, 33 percent who read or sent emails, 27 percent who used Facebook and 14 percent who viewed or posted on Twitter.

More than one in four had surfed the Web behind the wheel, 17 percent said they had taken a "selfie" picture with their phone during their driving and 12 percent had recorded a video.

Other activities on the road included using Instagram, Snapchat or videochat services, the survey found.

Among the other findings: 62 percent keep their smartphones within easy reach while driving, 30 percent of people who post to Twitter while driving do it "all the time" and 22 percent who access social networks while driving cite addiction as a reason.

The survey released Tuesday by AT&T polled 2,067 adult smartphone users and was conducted by Braun Research.

Yesterday's story about Asian drivers:

Thais among Asia-Pacific’s least attentive drivers

Online reporters

Rather than keeping their eyes on the road, Thais are among the top three "most distracted drivers" in the Asia-Pacific region, behind China and India, according to a recent survey.

The survey, commissioned by Ford Motor Company, reveals widespread inattentive driving habits across the Asia-Pacific area, including texting, eating and taking selfies while behind the wheel

The company's survey of 1997 drivers in the region revealed that 59% of respondent motorists in China used instant messaging app Weixin, 56% of surveyed drivers in India made and received calls while 47% of surveyed Thai drivers used Line or other chat apps in moving traffic while driving.

Approximately 42% of Filipino drivers admitted to taking a selfie while driving, ahead of their counterparts in China (31%), Thailand (30%), India (23%), and Australia (7%).

The company said it has found that snapping a "selfie" at the wheel could distract a driver for up to 14 seconds, and checking social media distracts for as much as 20 seconds – the period that is long enough, at 100km/hour, to travel the length of five football pitches.

On social media use while driving, 48% of drivers in the Philippines said they used Facebook behind the wheel, alongside 45% of Thai drivers and 16% of Australian drivers. About 36% of Chinese drivers admitted to using social media platform Weibo.

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