Nineteen states, plus the District of Columbia and Guam, now ban text messaging for drivers. Congress is trying to get into the act, too; last year Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) introduced a bill that would strip states of some of their federal Highway Trust Fund money if they don't take action on the problem. AAA says distracted driving accounts for up to 8,000 accidents a day, though it doesn't break out figures for texting and other distractions. "It's clearly a safety issue", say Scott Louser, vice chair of the National Association of REALTOR'S Risk Management Committee.

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