Multitasking has increased in the last few
years to astronomical heights. With one
hand and a smartphone you can watch a YouTube video, send an email, play a
game, voice chat and place a call in a five-minute span. However, with much power comes much
responsibility because NOW that we have this access 24-7, it has carried over
into our driving habits.
For some time, researchers have been
telling us to focus only on driving, quoting a greatly increased chance of
accident, injury and death when we distractedly call a friend or answer a
ringing cell phone.
Now, new research has revealed the most
dangerous driver distraction of all: texting.
A study by the Virginia Tech
Transportation Institute, along with prior studies by Liberty Mutual Insurance
and state-funded organizations located online, reveals the shocking statistics
of texting behind the wheel:
1. Texting
while driving increases the risk of accident 23.2 times over unimpaired
driving.
2. Texting
while driving results in longer response times than even drunken driving. While
an unimpaired driver can respond quickly to changes in traffic and begin
braking within half a second, a legally drunk driver needs four additional feet
to begin braking—and a driver who’s texting needs 70.
3. In
the moments before a crash or near crash, drivers typically spend nearly five
seconds looking at their mobile devices—enough time at typical highway speeds
to cover more area than the length of a football field.
4. Though
95 percent of drivers surveyed said texting behind the wheel was unacceptable
and unsafe, at least 21 percent admit to doing it anyway.
5. Especially
amongst teens, texting results in erratic driving behavior, like lane weaving
and speeding up and down, increasing the likelihood of hurting pedestrians and
running into other vehicles.
6. Texting
behind the wheel is generational: 37 percent of drivers 18 to 27 admit to
texting while driving, compared to 14 percent of 28 to 44 year olds, and 2
percent of 45 to 60 year olds.
7. An
accident can happen in two to three seconds while texting.