Text messaging while driving found to be more dangerous than drunk driving
Fri Sep 19, 2008 4:54PM EDT
See Comments (260)
The next time you try to text your buddies "on the way, c u there" while driving, consider this: Driving while text messaging is more dangerous than drinking and driving or driving under the influence of marijuana.
The Transport Research Laboratory in the U.K. (via The Times Online) found that when subjects were text messaging and driving at the same time, reaction speed was reduced by 35 percent, thereby increasing the likelihood of an incident. Those that were driving and drinking within the legal limit only suffered a 12 percent loss of reaction speed, and those that were driving under the influence of marijuana had their reaction speed reduced by 21 percent, 14 percent lower than while driving and texting.
Another startling statistic: According to the study, those that were texting and driving reduced their steering ability by 91 percent.
The worst part about the whole thing, in my opinion, is the general public's lack of knowledge on just how dangerous it can be. Everyone knows how dangerous it can be to drink and drive, but really, does everyone know that even picking up your cell phone for a quick text reduces your reaction speed by three times?
So, what do you all think? Does driving under the influence of texting your BFF appear to be more dangerous than driving under the influence of alcohol? Do you believe laws should be passed to prohibit this action, like in Washington? Let me know in the comments below.
For more information and details regarding the study, head on over to the Times Online. Be safe out there, America.
The Times Online - Texting wihle driving is more dangerous than drink-driving
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Comments on Text messaging while driving found to be more dangerous than drunk driving
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247 Posted by landon885 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:56PM EDT Report Abuse
my cuzin scares the heck out of me when he texts. he lives up in oregon were the mountains are extreamly curvy and goes 70 mph around them. WHILE TEXTING!!!
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248 Posted by catzclemente on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:19PM EDT Report Abuse
Wake up people...people are being killed because of texting.Your eyes aren't on the road. Are your brains in your
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249 Posted by wpshadel on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:49PM EDT Report Abuse
mcann541 - that's the excuse drunk drivers use too! and how could someone clearly absorbed in things other than the road know if he caused an accident?? of COURSE it affects our performance. even talking on the cell is equivalent to driving after 2 drinks. it IS illegal in my state, but many do it. cops don't notice bc they're too busy texting.
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250 Posted by brentgrab on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:12PM EDT Report Abuse
this is definately true. i have texted a couple times while driving and 2 different times someone stopped short in front of me and i always ran into them, if i wasn't texting i would of had much more time/reaction to put on the brakes. i try not to text anymore, especially after reading this. use this information wisely people!
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251 Posted by nickbajaj2000 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:37PM EDT Report Abuse
It seems that according to some very credible sources a Kelli T. was finally arrested and brought to justice for the crazy driving and drinking incident involving the minor. When she was pulled over the police officer found her own one year old only son in her own minivan and immidately tried to reach for the actual relatives to help and come take the child away.
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252 Posted by lisasarna on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:53PM EDT Report Abuse
YES IT SHOULD BE OUTLAWED, THERE IS NO REASON YOU CANNOT WAIT UNTIL YOU REACH WHERE YOUR GOING, OR PULL OVER IF ITS THAT URGENT. MY DAUGHTER FRIEND, WHO IS 18, JUST GOT A NEW CAR FROM HER GRANDPARENTS FOR GRADUATION AND YOU GUESSED IT, SHE WAS ANSWERING A TEXT ON THE FREEWAY AND LOST CONTROL ON THE CAR, SHE WAS TAKIN BY AMBULANCE AND IS OK, SHE IS LUCKY, PURE LUCKY THAT NOTHING HAPPENED TO HER OR ANYONE ELSE.. THERE SHOULD BE A HEFTY FINE AND COMMUNITY HOURS IN A REHAB CENTER WHERE PEOPLE WERE INJURED FROM CAR ACCIDENTS.. OH AND THE CAR WAS TOTAL'D..
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253 Posted by k0smo86 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:45PM EDT Report Abuse
Textecution™ is a user-friendly application that completely disables texting while driving. Textecution™ is designed for parents to install on their teenage driver's phone so they know their child is safer behind the wheel of the vehicle. Add immediate peace of mind, security, and safety today with Textecution™. http://www.textecution.com
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254 Posted by martinezktm on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:09PM EDT Report Abuse
first to everyone who thinks they can drive and text or dial and talk for that matter.... your F-ing idiots! i commute to work on a bike.the most dangerous people on the roads are the ones preoccupied by phones,papers,makeup and what not. you all know who you are. most the time on my rides to work i have to pay attention for both me and the jackass next to me. what is needed is a device which disables your cellphone the moment you enter a vehicle. california has taken a step in the right direction bluetooth is a massive help. and if i can commute 35 miles without using a phone so can everyone else. its a luxury not a necessity.
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255 Posted by dgates1921 on Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:50AM EDT Report Abuse
Show me a report where texting while driving kills a family of four in oncoming traffic. Show me a report where texting while driving ruined people's lives. This is such a ridiculous claim that it's worse than drunk driving. And it's over in the UK! That's not the US. Most people who text while driving know how to text really well, some don't even need to look at their phone. How about people in a rush on their way to work? drinking coffee, reading the paper, shaving while driving? same thing. Might as well outlaw changing the radio station as well.
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256 Posted by danafoster31 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:34PM EDT Report Abuse
lol , tards just figured this out lol.people on the whole are ignorant about how the mind works.bout time !!!post numb 3 kupria lol im dyin ,as a man who worked the job for 6 y 1, 2 drinks ,good people start to go quickly south.post numb 5 mc there are people who have the ability ,most dont ..some people can do blow once in 3-7 monthes most cant ,get my point.big pic buddy.
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257 Posted by tractorpullingirl1466 on Wed Jul 29, 2009 8:01PM EDT Report Abuse
I think it should be outlawed! Regardless if its happend yet, there is a 1st time for everything! And its not just your own life YOU are putting in jepardy, its every single person around you. ...Think about that next time.
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258 Posted by mem29.1959 on Wed Jul 29, 2009 10:04PM EDT Report Abuse
I do think they should make a law against texting while driving. Pick up the phone and call it is safer. But not the best thing to do either.
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259 Posted by i_winking on Mon Oct 19, 2009 4:21PM EDT Report Abuse
I recently came across a blog post in consumer reports about a new free mobile phone application to help combat distracted driving called DriveSafe.ly that reads your texts and emails to you while you are driving. It looked pretty interesting so I tried it. I have a BlackBerry and it has really helped me when I’m on the road because it keeps me from texting while driving. It works through my Bluetooth and it can actually send an auto-response to the sender. I’ve had some fun with customizing the auto-response messages. I’m not that technical but it’s easy to use. I recommend people checking out www.DriveSafe.ly
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260 Posted by fancan17 on Tue Nov 17, 2009 11:12PM EST Report Abuse
I concentrate on what I do. When my friends send text messages to me, drivesafe.ly mobile application respond with a message that I am not in a position to look at their message.
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246 Posted by on_an_island2006 on Tue Oct 7, 2008 8:05PM EDT Report Abuse
Wow. Some people here are obviously too busy texting to pay attention in school, so they haven't learned how to spell or put together a coherent sentence.