BLOOMINGTON, IL – State Farm Insurance released the results of a recent online survey of 900 motorists, which shows that drivers are accessing various types of mobile web services at higher rates. State Farm said these behaviors are yet another in the distracted driving arena. The survey broke out texting while driving as a separate activity from accessing mobile web services.

For drivers 18-29, the number who accesses the internet while on a cell phone (while driving) increased from 29% in 2009 to 43% in 2011. The number of individuals reading social media networks while driving increased from 21% in 2009 to 37% in 2011. Also, the number of drivers 18-29 who update social networks while driving increased from 20% in 2009 to 33% in 2011.

For all drivers, the data showed that the number of individuals who access the Internet while on a cell phone went from 13% in 2009 to 18% in 2011. The number of individuals reading social media networks while driving increased from 9% in 2009 to 14% in 2011. The number of drivers of all ages who update social networks while driving increased from 9% in 2009 to 13% in 2011

One finding, in light of the recent NTSB announcement to ban the use of all portable electronic devices (including hands-free) while driving, is that the number of individuals who are texting while driving is flat or decreasing (though the numbers are still relatively high). Of the drivers ages 18-29, 71% said they engaged in texting while driving in 2009, but dropped to 64% in 2011. For all drivers this number stayed relatively flat, at 31% in 2009 compared to 32% in 2011.

State Farm conducted the survey in August 2009 and 2010, and in July 2011. The company’s Strategic Resources Department used an outside panel vendor to conduct an online survey of U.S. consumers ages 18 and up.