Sobering statistic released during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WINK)— A study found using your phone while driving, even through Bluetooth with no hands, can impact your reaction time as much as having a blood alcohol content of 0.08%, the legal limit for drivers 21 and older.

This month is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. WINK News reporter Victoria Quevedo shared sobering statistics in the studio that will hopefully make people think twice about picking up their phone while driving to work.

According to the National Road Safety Foundation, more than 14,000 people died last year as a result of distracted driving. That makes up about 30% of last year's deadly crashes.

A survey found that three-quarters of drivers said they use their cellphones while driving. More than half admitted to reading texts or emails.

27% said they check their social media. 19% even admitted to shopping online while behind the wheel.

The National Road Safety Foundation says phones aren't the only factors causing driver distraction.

Right now, Florida is not a fully hands-free state, meaning it is legal to hold your phone while making a call or listening to directions, unless you are in a school or work zone. It is illegal if you are using it to text.

During this year's legislative session, an effort to pass fully hands-free driving laws in Florida failed.