Why Shouldn't People Text and Drive?

Sending text messages while driving makes you 20 times more likely to cause an accident, according to a 2009 study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. Texting is more dangerous than talking on a cell phone.

Basics

Texting while driving distracts the driver from the road and other cars. The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that drivers who are texting stop looking at the road for 4.6 seconds.

Significance

Almost 50 percent of teenagers report that they have texted while driving, according to the Federal Communications Commission.

Laws

As of 2010, texting while driving is illegal in 30 states, Washington, D.C and Guam. These laws have primary enforcement in 26 states, which means a police officer can cite drivers even if they are not committing any other traffic offenses.

Expert Insight

Drive safely by turning off or silencing your phone before you get in the car, suggests the Governors Highway Safety Association. If you need to use your phone, pull over or ask a passenger to make a call for you. In addition, never eat, smoke or read while driving.

References

• Governors Highway Safety Association: Distracted Driving
• Governors Highway Safety Association: Cell Phone and Texting Laws
• Five College Risk Management: No Cell Phones or Texting While Driving
• Federal Communications Commission: The Dangers of Texting While Driving