Texting while driving is a dangerous habit to have, but most of us are guilty of it anyway. However, in a new study published in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, researchers have found an interesting link between this disregard for safety and another kind of risque behavior.

Sexters, apparently, are more likely to text on the road than non-sexters.

“In modern social life, we are tethered to our devices,” says study author Steven Seiler, assistant professor of sociology at Tennessee Tech University. “When we’re driving, we’re simply taking the norms that we have in other areas of life.”

In the Philippines, the risk of a vehicular accident due to texting is very real. So are the fines imposed by House Bill 4531 or the Anti-Distracted Driving Act. According to PhilStar.com, “the first offense has a fine of P5,000 while the second has P10,000. The third offense has a penalty of P15,000 and suspension of the driver’s license for three months.The fourth offense is fined P20,000 and revocation of the license.”

All it takes is a quick second—the same second you use to glance down at your phone—for an accident to happen. If you really have to answer a text or a call, pull over somewhere safe before you touch your phone.

PHOTO: Skip&Nell/Flickr Creative Commons