Dangerous distracted drivers are common

(NBC) - The Department of Transportation reports nearly 6,000 people died in 2008 and more than 500,000 were injured in accidents involving distracted drivers, and the problem appears to be getting worse.

Talking on cell phones, texting, putting on makeup, even changing radio stations can be deadly.

"At 55 mph, that's the equivalent of driving length of football field with their eyes closed," said Brandon Nixon, CEO of "DriveCam."

In Texas on Wednesday, a woman is on trial for killing another driver. Officials said she was on her cell phone. The government said the worst offenders are young people under 20 years old.

"It's something that shouldn't be done because your focus is not on the road and where you're going," said Gennifer Young, a teen driver.

But new statistics show one in six accidents are caused by drivers who take their hands and their minds off the road.

"You can't do that while you're manipulating a GPS, talking on a cell phone, even if it's a Bluetooth, these are all distractions," said Ray LeHood, Secretary of Transportation. "We really need to address it."

AT a government summit, experts warned even wireless headsets are not the answer.

"Dialing is dangerous," said John D. Lee, author of ' Driving Distraction.' "If you have a headset, but still have to dial, that handsfree benefit is diminished."

Kim Laughary's husband was killed by what authorities believe was a distracted driver.

"Losing a husband and father, it's something that doesn't have to happen 90 percent of the time when you're not paying attention to the road," said Laughary.

But some truck drivers said they need to get information on the road.

"A lot of times, you don't have spaces to pull over," said Gregory Millard, a truck driver. "You need to know something and maybe you need to know it fast."

"You've got 80,000 pounds going down the road and if you make one mistake, you're going to hurt somebody and hurt yourself," said Claude Watkins, another truck driver.

As of Wednesday, 24 states and D.C. have either banned texting or handheld cell phones while driving, but there is a push for federal legislation to make the law consistent all over the country.