7 Facts About Texting That Can Save a Life
Multitasking has increased in the last few
years to astronomical heights. With one
hand and a smartphone you can watch a YouTube video, send an email, play a
game, voice chat and place a call in a five-minute span. However, with much power comes much
responsibility because NOW that we have this access 24-7, it has carried over
into our driving habits.
For some time, researchers have been
telling us to focus only on driving, quoting a greatly increased chance of
accident, injury and death when we distractedly call a friend or answer a
ringing cell phone.
Now, new research has revealed the most
dangerous driver distraction of all: texting.
A study by the Virginia Tech
Transportation Institute, along with prior studies by Liberty Mutual Insurance
and state-funded organizations located online, reveals the shocking statistics
of texting behind the wheel:
·
Texting
while driving increases the risk of accident 23.2 times over unimpaired
driving.
·
Texting
while driving results in longer response times than even drunken driving. While
an unimpaired driver can respond quickly to changes in traffic and begin
braking within half a second, a legally drunk driver needs four additional feet
to begin braking—and a driver who’s texting needs 70.
·
In
the moments before a crash or near crash, drivers typically spend nearly five
seconds looking at their mobile devices—enough time at typical highway speeds
to cover more area than the length of a football field.
·
Though
95 percent of drivers surveyed said texting behind the wheel was unacceptable
and unsafe, at least 21 percent admit to doing it anyway.
·
Especially
amongst teens, texting results in erratic driving behavior, like lane weaving
and speeding up and down, increasing the likelihood of hurting pedestrians and
running into other vehicles.
·
Texting
behind the wheel is generational: 37 percent of drivers 18 to 27 admit to
texting while driving, compared to 14 percent of 28 to 44 year olds, and 2
percent of 45 to 60 year olds.
·
An
accident can happen in two to three seconds while texting.
