A recent study from Vlingo, creator of vocal text messaging, shows that the text message fad is now bridging the gap between young and old, as almost 60 percent of mobile phone users are texting.

As texting becomes more popular, it also becomes more hazardous. According to Vlingo's study, one in four mobile users is texting while driving, a statistic that necessitates legislation.

"Despite more states having driving while texting laws or bans, the number of people who admit to driving while texting has remained essentially flat, going from 28 percent in 2008 to 26.7 percent in 2009," said Dave Grannan, CEO of Vlingo, Cambridge, MA.

"However, more people are using their phone to text in 2009 verse 2008 so overall we have more people on the road engaging in driving while texting," he said.

While laws are being passed against driving while texting in many states, there has been very little response to them among drivers.

The most frequent texters are teens and twenty-somethings are close behind.

The study shows that 94 percent of teenagers are using text messaging, a 9 percent increase since 2008.

A whopping 87 percent of twenty-somethings text. This number is up 2 percent since last year.

The growth rate of text messaging nationwide is not bound by age.

Texters in their 40's and 50's have increased usage by 8 percent in the last year.

In general, texting is closing in on sending and receiving calls. Out of all respondents in the Vlingo survey, 35 percent admitted to using texting more than making calls.

However, some people are still not interested in mobile data services despite their recent popularity.

The study shows that 41 percent of respondents do not text at all, blaming cost and difficulty typing as reasons to disregard the ever-growing text message craze.

Nevertheless, there is a new tool on the market for the hazards of driving while texting and those who hate to type.

Vlingo allows people to use almost any application on their mobile phone, such as text messaging or email, by simply speaking.

This technology may mean an even greater increase in texting.

"Our report indicates that over 75 percent indicate they would use voice to send a text or email message, search the Web browser and more," Mr. Grannan said. "We think this means that multi modal input is going to be key going forward in mobile.

"Whether users are speaking or soliciting product information, we feel that voice will be important in all mobile phones," he said. "Mobile marketers are going to have to consider how they take advantage of this new user interface paradigm."