Texting and Driving – A Dangerous Combination

Any form of distraction while driving can lead to disasterous consequences. Texting while driving has become the #1 most dangerous distraction for drivers in the United States. It has gotten a lot of press lately but some drivers don’t seem to feel that it can affect them.

Many people consider themselves multitaskers behind the wheel. Some people even brag about the ability to text, eat, shave and even put on makeup while driving. What these drivers do not realize is that they are essentially driving blind, and that taking their eyes off the road, even for just a few seconds, can take the life of a stranger or loved one.

Distracted driving is the #1 cause of death of teenagers in the United States. 500,000 people were injured and 5,000 people died in 2009 alone from distracted driving, and that number has continued to climb. The average time eyes are off the road when performing a single text is 5 seconds. 5 seconds on the freeway is enough time to travel the length of a football field. What seemed so far away when you started will soon be right in front of you.

If you text and drive, you are statistically 23 times more likely to get in a car crash than someone who has taken the pledge not to text and drive. Of all the fatal car accidents in America, 18% of them were caused from someone reading or writing a text.

Texting isn’t the only distraction that can cause accidents. Looking at Facebook, changing the music and playing games are also major factors too. Anything that causes you to look away, even for a second can lead to major disaster. Other non-phone related distractions are:

• Eating
• Changing the radio station or CDs
• Children in the back seat – quieting them down or feeding them
• Shaving, applying makeup, or doing your hair
• Daydreaming or sleeping

As you can see, there are many other distractions that can pull your eyes away from the road. The best plan of attack is to take care of these things BEFORE YOU GET INTO THE CAR. These things can wait.