Because we are all taxed with trying to accomplish more within every 24 hour period of time, many of us have turned to innovative technology for answers. Cell phones have come a long way with the introduction of smart phones and broadband connections, which allow us to stay connected to the office where ever our travels take us. Busy mortgage executives, road warriors looking to close the next deal, and parents rushing to get their kids to practice on time have all turn to mobile e-mail and texting to stay connected while on the go. While this technology has been widely adopted and proven to be extremely effective, it can also pose significant risks.
Texting is dramatically on the rise. In December, phone users in the United States sent 110 billion messages, a tenfold increase in just three years, according to the cellular phone industry’s trade group, CTIA.
In a recent study, the Virginal Tech Transportation Institute, measured the time drivers took their eyes from the road to send and receive text messages. The collision risk was 23 times greater than when not texting. These results and risks associated with texting while driving sharply exceed previous estimates and significantly surpass the dangers of other driving distractions.
“As mobile technology evolves at a breakneck pace, more and more people rightly fear that distracted driving phone calls, e-mails and texting is a growing threat on the highways. The 2009 Traffic Safety Culture Index shows that people today fear distracted drivers almost as much as drunk drivers,” said AAA Foundation President and CEO Peter Kissinger.
Following are highlights from the 2009 Traffic Safety Culture Index:
* 90% of respondents said people driving after drinking alcohol was a very serious threat to their safety; 87% said the same about text messaging or e-mailing while driving
* 80% of motorists rated distracted driving as a very serious threat to their safety, yet many admitted performing distracted behaviors like talking on the cell phone or texting or e-mailing while driving within the last month
* Over two-thirds admitted to talking on a cell phone and 21% admitted to reading or sending a text message or e-mail while driving in the past month
Nearly 90% said that texting or e-mailing while driving was a very serious threat to safety, yet 18% of those same people admitted texting in the past month
There have been a number of recent accidents that exemplify the risks of texting while on the go. One girl fell into a manhole when she was walking down the street and texting. Numerous auto accidents have been blamed on individuals being distracted by texting. A trolley car in Boston crashed while the driver was texting his girlfriend. The list of these types of stories continues to rise.
The numbers are alarming. Texting collision risk is 23 times greater than when not texting. As we look to technology for innovative ways to stay connected, we may want to reconsider how and when we are using these technologies. I was shocked that many of these studies demonstrated that texting can even be more lethal than driving under the influence.
How many of you have ever read or sent text messages while driving? Will you now reconsider texting while driving? Will these statistics change your behavior or will it be business as usual?
As we all look to get more accomplished within our day we may want to find more innovative ways to use texting technology that is safer for everyone around use. Should there be laws banning texting while driving? Some states have laws regarding cell phone usage when driving. Some require hands free operation as it allows drivers to have two hands on the wheel and is perhaps safer.
Share with us your thoughts and feeling regarding texting while driving.
