We all know the dangers of texting while driving. We have been made aware of how dangerous driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is by organizations like MADD. Both activities can have the same catastrophic consequences that can lead to death or serious injury. Did you know that distracted driving is now the leading cause of death among American Teens? Alcohol-related accidents and deaths among teens has actually decreased. It’s hard to believe until you really think about it.
I will hazard a guess that almost everyone has used their cell phones while behind the wheel of a car. We see other drivers talking and texting while driving, using headsets, and hand-held or hands-free devices. Try counting the number on your way into work tomorrow; I think the number will surprise you.
The average time your eyes are off the road while texting is five seconds. Anything can happen within this time and often does. A child runs after a ball in the road. The car in front of you slams on their brakes. You get the picture. The University of Utah conducted a study in 2009 that found the use of a cell phone while driving delays a driver’s reaction time the same as having a blood alcohol concentration at the Kentucky legal limit of .08 percent! Researchers at the Center for Cognitive Brain Imaging at Carnegie Mellon University detected that concentration and focus on driving decrease by 40 percent when a driver is distracted. With so many people using cell phones, we can say that it becomes more dangerous than driving under the influence.
The battle against distracted driving and driving under the influence is a never ending war. Yes a war because death is inevitable when people engage in these activities. How do we stop it? Awareness campaigns are one avenue. Stringent enforcement of cell phone laws is another. Unfortunately, these laws need more teeth to make people refrain from using cell phones while driving. Increasing fines and suspending or revoking license or jail time may do the trick. Unfortunately, there is no quick answer because we will have to change the way society views cell phone use behind the wheel. Are we too late with the 25 and under crowd? It seems to be a part of their life. Cell phones seem to be permanent attachments. All of the above will be needed to turn the tide and save lives.



