The new road risk - texting
It's more than multi-tasking, it's a dangerous distraction. Driving while texting (DWT?) is making headlines as drivers and the government weigh in on this roadway threat. A recent Harris Interactive poll found that 91 percent of surveyed Americans say that driving while text messaging is as dangerous as driving after a few drinks. It's not illegal like DWI, but it may be soon.
Currently, only Washington State has passed a law making it illegal to text and drive. More states are considering a similar ban, including New York, New Jersey, Oregon, and California. Nine out of 10 Americans in the Harris poll said they would support laws banning driving while texting. However, the same poll found that two thirds read messages while driving and more than half of them admit to sending messages from the driver's seat. So, it seems that people know the potential hazards, but find it hard to resist the temptation to stay connected. Many of us are driving under the influence of technology.
Findings from a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)/Virginia Tech 100-car study found that "glances totaling more than two seconds for any purpose increase near-crash/crash risk by at least two times [than] that of normal baseline driving." Click here to read the full report (in PDF format).
Teens tend to be the group with the most risky driving habits. Vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for 15-20 year olds, according to NHTSA. A survey by AAA and Seventeen magazine found 61 percent of teens admit to risky driving. Forty-six percent of them say they text message and 51 percent talk on the phone while driving. A 2005 Melbourne Monash University study found that young drivers who text message take their eyes off the road four times more than other drivers and would veer out of their lane 63 percent more frequently.
In July, five teens were killed in an upstate New York crash. It was discovered that text messages were sent just prior to the accident. While it may not have been the primary cause of the accident, it may have been a contributor. The combination of teen driving inexperience and distraction can be a deadly mix.
Texting is a relatively new technology, and its use in the driver's seat is becoming more prevalent, but hand-held phone use while driving has been the center of controversy since cell phones became a necessary mainstream accessory over a decade ago. This technology has been both a lifesaving device and a risk. According to a 2006 Pew Internet survey, 74 percent of Americans say they have used their hand-held device in an emergency and received help. However, other studies have shown that motorists who use cell phones while driving are four times as likely to get into a crash.
In July 2008, California will likely become the fourth state to ban driving with hand-held phones. Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia currently have these laws in place. Sixteen states and DC restrict the use of phones by young drivers. Many other states are considering legislation, as well. Outside the United States, nationwide cell-phone driving bans are more common. Many countries around the world have banned this risky behavior completely, including Australia, France, Egypt, Russia, Israel, Japan, and England.
In a previous blog, we discussed tips to reduce driver distraction. Whether new laws are needed, self-regulation, or stricter parenting for teen drivers, we can all agree that cell phones can be a distraction and that accidents from them can be prevented. A cell phone is a valuable tool in an emergency, but knowing when and how to use it can be the difference between life saving and life threatening.
Comments