Texting and Driving

Texting and Driving -- a bad idea!

When will people learn?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving is responsible for one quarter of car accidents! Driver inattention 3 seconds before the accident was the leading factor in crashes and close calls, according to their 2006 report.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

ADMIT IT -- We've all done it -- multitasking while driving:

sending and reading electronic messages

talking on our cell phone

putting on makeup

combing our hair

reading maps or a GPS

writing a grocery list

choosing the music on a MP3 or CD player

grabbing something off the floor of the car

Multitasking is great in and of itself, but NOT while driving!

In 2009, the 'New York Times' ran a series about 'distracted drivers' and the dangers involved. Since then, there's been more attention to the huge increasing problem of electronic messaging and driving. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports many states (over 23 and growing) are BANNING electronic messaging for drivers.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

SO, what is 'TEXTING' ?? -- sending and receiving little messages via modern cell phones, mobile phones, electronic mobile devices (also known as SMS - short for short message service).

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

THE TEST

In June 2009, 'Car and Driver' decided to do research on sending and receiving messages while driving, comparing it to the effects of drunk driving using the same driving conditions. They kept it simple and focused solely on the driver’s reaction times to a light mounted on the windshield at eye level (simulating a car’s brake lights ahead of them). They all drove the same vehicle, driving in a straight line at a deserted air strip. They tested reaction times at 35 mph and 70 mph first for baseline readings.

They then repeated this while reading a message aloud, followed by typing the same message – all while driving. They then had the drivers become ‘slightly intoxicated’ (at legal driving limit of 0.08 percent blood-alcohol content). They drove and performed the same light-and-brake test without any message distractions.

THE RESULTS?

HOW long did it take to hit the brake?

Unimpaired -- 0.54 seconds to brake

Legally drunk -- add 4 feet

Reading e-mail -- add 36 feet

Sending a message -- add 70 feet

-- BOTTOM LINE --
TEXTING AND DRIVING is more dangerous than drinking and driving !!

TAKE OPRAH'S NO PHONE ZONE PLEDGE
(to NOT text while driving)

(click "Pledge" below)

-- CELL PHONE ETIQUETTE RULES PEOPLE BREAK --

Is this you?? ........

Texting while driving
Messaging while carrying on a conversation with a person
Loud annoying ringtones
Talking too loudly
Holding inappropriate conversations in public
Rudely interrupting conversations with calls
Checking/Using your phone at the movies
Disturbing live performances
Ringing phone in church or place of worship

(From www.bspcn.com - top 10 cell phone etiquette rules people still break)

Go to "Teenagers" main page

Go to "Parenting Articles" main page

Leave "Texting" and go to "Home Page"

Copyright© 2009 - Raising-Redheads.com.
Content is for information only. For medical concerns, see your physician.
----------------------------------------------------
(John 14:6) - "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life."