When you see the driver in the lane next to you gazing at their smartphone, he or she may be doing more than texting. AT&T recently conducted a survey that shows nearly 4-in-10 cell phone users check social media while driving, citing addiction as the reason. Three out of 10 drivers surf the Internet and 1-in-10 drivers use video chat.

A surprising 7 out of 10 people admitted to using their smartphone while driving. Texting and emailing are the most common smartphone activities, but using social platforms, like Facebook, also tops the list. More than a quarter of the people polled use their Facebook app while driving.

According to AT&T, these are smartphone activities people admit to doing while driving:

  • Text (61 percent)
  • Email (33 percent)
  • Surf the net (28 percent)
  • Facebook (27 percent)
  • Snap a selfie/photo (17 percent)
  • Twitter (14 percent)
  • Instagram (14 percent)
  • Shoot a video (12 percent)
  • Snapchat (11 percent)
  • Video chat (10 percent)

When people receive a communication on their smartphone, it can be difficult to fight the urge to respond even while driving. For some smartphone users, not responding seems rude, especially when you know the other person is waiting for a reply. People can download the AT&T DriveMode app that silences message alerts and auto-replies when driving to let friends and loved one know you can't respond. 

AT&T will use the survey findings to help increase awareness of the dangers of smartphone use behind the wheel. The company plans to collaborate with social platforms to encourage life-saving behavior change while driving.

The telecommunications giant will also expand its "It Can Wait" campaign from texting while driving to include other smartphone activities.

"When we launched 'It Can Wait' five years ago, we pleaded with people to realize that no text is worth a life," Lori Lee, AT&T's global marketing officer, said in a statement. "The same applies to other smartphone activities that people are doing while driving. For the sake of you and those around you, please keep your eyes on the road, not on your phone."

Visit www.ItCanWait.com to learn more.