Dangers of Texting while Driving

Cellular phones today are such an integral part of the day to day lives of many people. You’d be hard pressed to go a day without seeing someone make a call, check an e-mail, or send a text. Unfortunately with this technology, there also come risks and responsibilities. A dangerous trend is rising associating texting while driving with car accidents. One popular, fact-proving, television show even showcased that talking on a cell phone while driving is worse than driving under the influence of alcohol.

It really shouldn’t be a surprise at all that distracted drivers cause a significant number of car accidents. Cell phones merely add another level to this distraction, something to further interact with. No longer are drivers worried about just finding their favorite radio station to listen to or interacting with their passengers. Instead they are reading incoming messages, contemplating and forming responses, and sending them off. Some drivers even compose e-mails on the road or have multiple conversations with several people, all through text messaging. This is a very dangerous practice as it takes the driver’s attention and focuses it elsewhere. When people get behind the wheel of a car, they have an obligation for the safety of those around them. Picking up a cell phone and typing out a text can impair reaction time to critical events on the road, thus lessening how safe their driving really is.

Due to the increased reaction time of drivers who text on the road, all dangers associated with driving are effectively greater. It takes more time to see other driver’s break lights. Noticing a light change from green to red takes longer. Even seeing a child run out into the street after a ball takes more time. These fractions of seconds are absolutely critical in fast decision making. They can mean the difference between a car stopping in 50 feet versus stopping in 100.

In State Legislature

Car accidents and related incidents due to cell phone use have recently garnered the attention of almost all states. Within the last few years, thirty states have instituted a ban on texting while driving. Additionally, many states are adopting laws banning the use of hand held phones while driving.

Cost Versus Benefit

It sounds cliche’, but the simplest question to ponder is: “Is what I’m texting worth my or another person’s life?” Driver’s who text have an impaired reaction time. This reaction time can (and has) caused traffic fatalities. It simply just isn’t worth the risk.