Texting while driving why is it bad

Nearly , injuries occur each year from accidents caused by texting while driving. Texting while driving is 6x more likely to cause an accident than driving drunk. Answering a text takes away your attention for about five seconds.

Traveling at 55 mph, that's enough time to travel the length of a football field. Texting while driving causes a percent increase in time spent with eyes off the road. Of all cell phone related tasks, texting is by far the most dangerous activity. Teen drivers are 4x more likely than adults to get into car crashes or near-crashes when talking or texting on a cell phone.

A teen driver with only one additional passenger doubles the risk of getting into a fatal car accident. With two or more passengers, they are 5x as likely. Cell Phone and Driving Statistics Parents with young children were more 13 percent likely to be distracted while driving than adults with no small children 3, people were killed by distracted driving in In , there were 34, distracted driving accidents 15, drivers aged were involved in fatal crashes due to distraction or cell phone use U.

Cell Phone and Driving Statistics Fatalities in distraction-affected crashes decreased from 3, in to 3, in , or a decrease of 2. Cell Phone and Driving Statistics In , 3, people were killed and , people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.

Cell Phone and Driving Statistics In , 3, people were killed in distraction-related crashes. About , people were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver. One in 10 drivers surveyed said that, at least sometimes, they send text messages or emails while driving. A majority of respondents supported laws that banned talking on cell phones, texting, or emailing while driving. They also found that texting pedestrians take an average of two seconds longer to cross the street.

Injured By a Texting Driver? Contact Us Today As cell phone use and driving becomes a national problem, the chances of being involved in a car accident with a distracted driver increase. December October July June They can also face traffic tickets. An injury victim can also sue a distracted driver in civil court, resulting in a judgment for damages, and their insurance policy limits might not be enough to cover it. And of course, after any accident, insurance carriers are likely to raise premium rates.

If the accident was very serious, insurance companies might refuse to insure a driver at all. These are just some of the many consequences that someone could face after causing an accident while texting and driving, and why you should avoid it at all costs. A delayed reaction time is the findings of just one of many studies that have consistently found texting to have a worse impact on driving than alcohol. Most drivers are aware of the risks of drunk driving.

They take steps to prevent it by designating a sober driver or using the many rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft that have become so convenient and widely available. If drivers are willing to put this much effort into avoiding the risks of drunk driving, they should be willing to put even less effort into avoiding texting and driving.

Remove the temptation of checking your text messages by putting your phone in the backseat or trunk. Many technologies can reduce the risk of using your phone while driving. Voice-to-text features can help you send messages. Hands-free options can use earbuds or Bluetooth. These systems can dramatically reduce the risk of using a phone while driving. It is, however, important not to be overly reliant on hands-free features.

Many studies have found that the risk of texting and driving is the attention it requires, not the physical use of your phone. Behavioral Scientist reports that research has found little difference in the rate of driver error by those who are using handheld devices and those who are using hands-free devices. Regardless of the hands-free law in place, Florida drivers still have a legal obligation to stay aware of hazards in the roadway and not let themselves become distracted.

According to the Federal Communications Commission , 21 states ban the use of handheld devices while driving. Florida is one of the states that allows drivers to use hands-free features, although this allowance will not stop you from being liable for an accident. The risks of texting and driving are the same regardless of what state you drive in or the current laws of that state. You might not realize it, but you are setting an example for other drivers every time you get behind the wheel, especially if there is anyone else in the car with you.

Even when you are driving on your own, you are still setting an example for other drivers on the road. Consider who is watching you. There are teen drivers accustomed to constant communication through texting. There are elderly drivers whose reaction times are naturally slowing as they age. Text messages can wait. It may even save a life. The information and content on our website should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment or advice from your doctor. Click here for a COVID quarantine and isolation calculator to determine when you may return to normal activities after testing positive or when having had close contact with someone who.

Use these tips to prevent the spread of influenza in your family. Know the Stories Texting and driving can do much more than damage your vehicle — it can cause serious injury or death.