NU Online News Service, Jan. 4, 1:21 p.m.EST

Most U.S. adults support a nationwide ban on the use of cellphones while driving, according to a new IBOPE Zogby poll.

The poll of 2,099 adults finds that 64 percent support theNational Transportation Safety Board's recommendation for a nationwide ban on the non-emergency use ofpersonal-electronic devices while driving, with 41 percent sayingthey "strongly agree" with the recommendation.

Twenty-two percent of respondents say they stronglydisagree.

The poll comes days after several risk managers told NU OnlineNews Service that they would support such a ban.

The American Insurance Association has also said it supports theNTSB's recommendation.

However, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced onDec. 22 that he would not back a nationwide ban, saying he supportsusing hands-free devices while driving instead.

The IBOPE Zogby poll shows more women than men strongly supporta ban (49 percent of women versus 31 percent of men).

Adults 65 and older are also more likely to strongly support aban (58 percent) than younger adults (34 percent for both the 18-29and 30-49 age groups).

Broken down by political affiliation, 59 percent of adultsidentifying themselves as Democrats strongly support a ban comparedto just 33 percent of independents and 27 percent ofRepublicans.

Commenting on the poll, Daniel DeVries, IBOPE Zogbycommunications and media manager, says, "I think the numbers showsome strong support almost universally, with the only majorvariations really appearing when it comes to age. Unsurprisingly,young people who grew up in a time of widespread cell use are morelikely to disagree with the NTSB recommendation."