What are the Dangers of Texting while Driving?

Texting while driving can be worse than driving under the influence (DUI). When using any technology that can require you to take your hands and eyes off the road, or cause any distraction, it can instantly become a danger not only to you but to other drivers as well. A death due to drunk driving occurs every 48 minutes. ("Distracted Driving VS Drunk Driving: Which Is Worse? | Visual.Ly")

Distracted driving can take the drivers eyes off the road. This includes text, talking on the phone, changing the radio stations or cd's, eating and drinking, talking to others in the vehicle, using a gps. Texting while driving is the most hazardous and deathly of all distractions while driving. Texting uses cognitive, manual and vision attention. (What is distracted driving?)

For most teenagers driving is a dream come true, however a tiny distraction this dream becomes a huge nightmare. Technology has advanced rapidly over the years and has quite often taken over our minds, youngest people are not able to be unattached from cell phones and this has become a big problem in the u.s. The driver is at a huge risk but is also risking lives of many others, passengers, pedestrians and other drivers. We must put a stop to the use of technology while driving.

Sending or receiving a simple text message takes your mind and eyes off the road for about, 4.6 seconds. You would think 4.6 is nothing right? Until you think of it when driving 55 mph, is the equivalent of an entire football field! Think of this as blind driving (what is distracted driving.)

Texting and driving is a multitasking activity, whereas only about 2% of those who do this is actually successful (Mann 1). Just because you can text and drive or should we say multi-task does not mean you should attempt to do so.. This is not just an issue with teenagers, adults try to text and drive as well. Most teens have seen their parents or other persons in authority do so and think it's okay for them to do it themselves. Did you know that 1 out of 5 drivers admit to surfing the web while driving(DWI).

While we may never understand why anyone would text and drive, perhaps they just think they can do it or are they too stubborn to admit to how dangerous it truly is? Sadly, some that do so learn from their mistakes the hard way. Even if the result ends in tragedy, people tend to ignore statistics, 77% of young adults are somewhat confident, 53% say it's easy, to text and drive (DWI). Teens spend 10% driving outside of their lane and are often distracted, thinking, reading a quick text, or holding the phone up at the windshield - so they can see it better, or just text at stop lights, etc.(DWI) There is no justification for it.

Many agree that distracted driving is dangerous, but not everyone agrees to join against it. It's time to stand up and show what is wrong, speak out against anyone you know who is a distracted driver, let them know you are uncomfortable with their actions.

Your voice is the biggest / loudest weapon you have, use it - this could easily save a life, beings it, the passenger, drivers, or others close by. The end of distracted driving beings with you and your ability to speak up!

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