Many drivers aren’t aware of their own texting habits, according to a first-of-its-kind report connecting habit to the dangers of texting while driving.

According to researchers at the University of Michigan, a driver’s likelihood of texting while driving is dependent on his level of “habit” rather than how often he actually texts.

People who have a habit of checking their cell phones without thinking are acting in a way that’s automatic—they’re compelled to do it. And when someone is on “automatic,” he lacks control, intention, attention, and even awareness of his actions. Considering the fact that texting while driving makes a driver 23 times more likely to crash, it’s a critical issue on today’s highways.

With texting on the rise, and more states—including Virginia—banning texting while driving, this report may be the beginning of understanding how best to prevent distracted driving, which has been called an “epidemic” on America’s roadways.