We are frequently reminded that driving distractions cause accidents; and accidents can injure and be fatal. Researchers at Harvard University estimate 570,000 accidents and 2,600 deaths are caused annually due to drivers on their cell phones.
In 2009, Textsmart.org surveyed young adults between the ages 18-24. The survey asked “Do you text while driving”? Of the 200 young men and women (73 female and 127 male) who answered the survey, 40% of the females and 39% of the males stated that they text while driving.
Did You Know?
Drivers on cell phones cause 2,600 deaths each year and 570,000 accidents — alarming numbers. I’snt it worth your life or another’s to wait to answer the phone?
Research shows that it only takes a distraction of four seconds to cause a major driving disaster. To put that time in perspective, when traveling 55 mph a driver can cover the length of a football field. The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that when drivers texted, their collision risk was 23 times greater than drivers who kept their eyes on the road and their thumbs on the wheel.
Several state governments have already passed legislation that prohibit texting while driving and others have or are reviewing legislation that will make it illegal to use hand-held devices while driving. Many cars now have installed voice control mechanisms and speech-to-text technologies that allow drivers to operate electronic devices without taking their eyes off the road. Other companies make available call and text blocking services. Parents can install upgraded gadgets that rely on the phone’s GPS signal that will re-route incoming calls to voice mail.
So what will it actually take to stop? You can simply take the temptation away during your drive time, i.e. turn the phone off or to mute.
It’s really that simple of a choice.
