Texting and driving is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving. As a reference point, seeing a text or reading a text on your phone can take your eyes off the road for more than 5 seconds. This is the length of a football field at 55 miles per hour. Indeed, texting and driving has replaced driving and drinking as the leading cause of death among teenage drivers.
Negative statistics around texting and driving are not for teenage drivers alone. According to an AT&T survey, more than 49 percent of American adults admitted they text while driving. It is estimated that a total of 660000 drivers use an electronic device while driving. With so many people committing the same mistake, the potential for accidents, injuries, and fatalities is extremely high.
Along with the potentially lethal consequences of texting and driving, you are also breaking the law. In most states, texting while driving is an illegal act and you can either get a ticket and a fine. Furthermore, consider the fact that if you get a ticket, you insurance rates will go up.
The best way to avoid texting and driving, is to use speech to text software, in order to get directions, or to respond to someone that you are on your way. That way, you can keep your hands on the wheel most of the time and keep your eyes on the road.
Some more statistics:
- More than 3,000 teens die each year in crashes caused by texting while driving (autosafety.com)
- Cell phones are involved in 1.6 million auto crashes each year that cause a half million injuries and take 6,000 lives (United States Department of Transportation)Women are more likely than men to reach for their cell phones while driving (National Occupant Protection Use)
If you or a loved one get involved in a car accident, contact Maidenberg law Group for a free consultation. Call us toll free at (888) 520-9617, or contact The Maidenberg Law Group online.
