The Reno Gazette Journal reports today that a Consumer Reports poll reveals the high usage of cell phones while driving:

63 percent of young people admit to using a handheld phone while driving, and 30 percent admit to sending text messages while driving.

Nevada is one of the minority of states that does not ban text messaging or cell phone use while driving. Many states prohibit or limit cell phone use and texting, especially among teen drivers. Click here for a state-by-state list of cell phone driving laws.

Alarmingly, the Consumer Reports poll revealed that only 30 percent of those under 30 believe that such behavior is very dangerous. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, distracted driving accidents caused nearly 5,500 deaths in the U.S. in 2009.