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Only a year ago, it would be hard to believe that texting with cell phones is on the decline. But, latest data confirms that trend. A new report issued by a technology and strategy consulting firm shows that sending text messages using cell phones has dropped.

Technology consultant Chetan Sharma’s US Mobile Data Market Update for the third quarter 2012 claims a drop in the average number of monthly text messages per user from 696 texts in the second quarter to 678 in the third.

However, New Jersey’s personal injury lawyers at Console & Hollawell are taking a closer look at the new data. According to the injury lawyers, despite an apparent drop in messaging, crash data from The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highlights distracted driving, including texting while driving, as a still-growing national problem.

In fact, NHTSA data seems to suggest a steady increase in text messaging nationwide, believes New Jersey car accident attorney Richard P. Console Jr, a managing partner of Console & Hollawell P.C. He warns drivers to stay focused on the road and away from cell phones.

“Americans might be texting less, but that doesn’t mean they’re staying off their phones while they’re driving,” said Console. “With so many ways to send text-like messages on a smartphone, it’s impossible to look at the data and say usage is dropping. Distracted driving is still a massive, dangerous problem in New Jersey and the country as a whole.”

According to NHTSA’s study, in 2010, there were 416,000 injuries and 3,092 deaths in car crashes involving distracted drivers. The report claims a 50 percent increase in the total number of text messages sent monthly in 2011 from 2009, while monthly text messages in June 2011 alone reportedly totaled 196 billion in the U.S.

Meanwhile, a semi-annual survey released by the International Association for the Wireless Telecommunications Industry shows text messaging in the country is still on the rise with the total number of sent and received messages up three percent in 2012.

Consol said, “Texting while driving is a problem that isn’t going away easily.”

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