Driving while texting (DWT) is dangerous. It is the new DWI / DUI. DWT is a hot topic — made even hotter now that Oprah has gotten on the bandwagon by encouraging people to make a pledge to not text or even use a cell phone while driving.
“It is my prayer that this show, this day will be a seminal day in your life,” Oprah says. “Let it be the end, the end of you using a cell phone or sending a text message when you are behind the wheel of a moving vehicle. And until we as a nation decide we’re going to change that, those numbers are only going to go up.”
All the research and statistics show that drivers that DWT pose a threat. The following gives an overview of some of the research outcomes:
- Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that semi truck drivers were 23 times more likely to have an accident while texting than non-distracted drivers. While texting, their eyes were off the road for an average of 5 seconds. A truck doing 55 mph travels travels the length of a football field in 5 seconds.
- Liberty Mutual Insurance Group conducted a survey of nearly 1000 teens and reported that 37% of them found texting to be “very” or “extremely” distracting.
- A study by the AAA found that 46% of teens admitted to being distracted behind the wheel due to texting.
- The University of Utah found distraction from cell phone use while driving (hand held or hands free) negatively affects a driver’s reaction as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that drivers that use cell phones are 4 times more likely to get into crashes with injury. They also reported that the number one source of driver inattention is use of a wireless device.
- A study conducted at Carnegie Mellon found that driving while using a cell phone resulted in a 37 percent reduction in concentration on driving.
- A study conducted by the Eastern Virginia Medical School showed that teens using a driving simulator while sending text messages or searching multimedia device menus changed speed, steered erratically, and, in some cases, ran over pedestrians.
The challenge we now face is to educate all drivers about the risks associated with the use of cell phones and other multimedia devices while operating a motor vehicle. Additionally, states should implement stiffer penalties for reckless, inattentive driving. If cell phone records reveal a driver was DWT at the time of an accident, the resultant fine and punishment should be increased.
“Every single time someone takes their eyes or their focus off the road – even for just a few seconds – they put their lives and the lives of others in danger,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood . “Distracted driving is unsafe, irresponsible and in a split second, its consequences can be devastating. We must work together to find solutions that will prevent crashes caused by driver distraction.”
If you have been injured in a car accident, where the offender was DWT, you need legal representation to maximize your compensation. The car accident attorneys at TSR Injury Law are skilled, experienced litigators. We have recovered millions for victims of inattentive drivers. Call 612-362-0000 or submit our contact form.
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