The majority of Americans agree that drunk driving is wrong. But when it comes to texting while driving, motorists tend to take a more relaxed view, even though studies show that texting may be even more dangerous than driving while impaired. Read on to learn why.
Is Texting More Dangerous Than Drinking and Driving?
Research suggests that in some ways, texting is the new drunk driving. Even popular culture recognizes the phenomenon, dubbing texting while driving accidents as “intextigated” crashes. It’s a clever term, but hardly a laughing matter.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), driving a vehicle while texting is six times more dangerous than intoxicated driving. The Transport Research Laboratory found that writing a text message slows driver reactions by 35 percent, while drinking alcohol up to the legal limit slows reactions by 12 percent. Another study stated that texting drivers react 23 percent slower than intoxicated drivers do.
It’s also important to note that motorists’ attitudes don’t always align with their actions. Most people insist that drinking and driving is wrong. It’s the same response with texting. In a recent AAA study, 96 percent of respondents identified texting while driving as a “dangerous” or “very dangerous” action. Yet 43.7 percent of them admitted to reading a text message while driving and 42.7 percent acknowledged typing one behind the wheel, even though they knew could get caught by police.
None of this is meant to dismiss the fact that drunk driving is still a serious problem in the United States. However, NHTSA reports that drunk driving fatalities have dropped by a third in the last 30 years. At the same time, it cautions that texting while driving crashes are likely underreported. No matter how you look at it, American motorists are facing a deadly double threat.
Texting Can Wait
Life is busy, but it’s also precious. Texting takes your eyes off the road for around five seconds. At 55 miles per hour, that’s long enough to cover the distance of a football field. It’s more than enough time to miss seeing a driver hit the brakes in front of you, or to drift out of your lane in traffic. The solution is simple — just don’t text while driving.
If you really can’t wait to read a message, pull over and stop first. If you’re afraid you’ll give in to temptation, put the phone out of reach or ask a passenger to read the message and reply for you.
When driving, safety for you (and your fellow motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists) should always be the top priority. Too many people believe they can multitask while driving, when in reality it’s something the human brain is incapable of. It’s just not worth the risk.
Injured in a Texting While Driving Crash? Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers
People who are hit and injured by a texting driver may be entitled to seek compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. At Stewart Law Offices, our South Carolina and North Carolina lawyers will demand maximum compensation from the driver who struck you and fight to restore your financial security and personal well-being.
Our legal team is ready to speak to you in a free consultation. To get started, call or contact us today.
Originally published October, 2018. Refreshed July, 2020.
Sources:
- I Drive Safely: “Distracted Driving Fact Sheet.”
- Transport Research Laboratory, “The Effects of Text Messaging on Driver Behavior.”
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Carsurance.net: “24 Texting While Driving Statistics (Updated for 2020).”
- Streetsblog USA: “Study: For Nearly Half of Drivers, Threat of Police Enforcement Doesn’t Deter Texting.”
