Texting Distractions

The final distraction is cognitive, which is lack of mental awareness.

A person texting and driving needs an astounding 70 more feet to begin braking.

People often like to compare texting and driving with driving while intoxicated. Interestingly most people believe that driving while intoxicated is much more dangerous than texting and driving. However, studies prove that a totally unimpaired driver can respond and begin braking within half a second. A drunk driver needs four more feet to begin braking. A person texting and driving needs an astounding 70 more feet to begin braking.There are three physiological distractions that occur while texting and driving. The first is visual when drivers take their eyes off the road. The second is manual when drivers take one or more hands off the wheel. The final distraction is cognitive, which is lack of mental awareness.
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MILLIONS

5,811,000

istracted driving is an epidemic on Americas roadways. You see it every day: Drivers swerving in their lanes, stopping at green lights, running red ones, or narrowly missing a pedestrian because they have their eyes and minds on their phones instead of the road. Yet, people continue to assume that they can drive and text or talk at the same time. The results are preventable accidents. In 2010, 3092 people were killed, and an estimated additional 416,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver.
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There is an assumption that the texting and driving epidemic greatly affects the younger generation. This is a true assumption. Texting while driving is generational with 37% of drivers ages 18 to 27 admitting to texting while driving. On the other hand, only 14% of 28 to 44 year olds, and 2% of 45 to 60 year olds, admit to texting total and driving. Teens are also more likely to drive accidents erratically while texting which increases the chance of hitting pedestrians or other vehicles. Teens actually spend 10% of driving time outside of the lane that they are supposed to be in.
1,452,000 cell phone accidents

2010

Driving has a lot to do with timing and judgment. Moments before an accident, drivers tend to look at their phone for at least five seconds. This is unbelievably enough time to cover the length of a football field at typical highway speeds. Texting while driving can make a new drivers reaction time equivalent to a 70 year old. Steering capabilities are reduced by an amazing 91% while texting and driving.

Unfortunately, the grisly statistics of texting and driving accidents need to be discussed to share the severity of what can happen. Every year 21% of fatal car crashes of teens between the ages of 16 and 19 were a result of texting and driving. Regrettably this rate is expected to grow by 4% each year. In addition to this already damaging statistic,

approximately 6,000 deaths and a half a million of injuries are caused by texting and driving each year. This means that 18 deaths each day is due to texting and driving. This number is also expected to grow each year. More states are becoming heavily involved in banning cell phone usage Distracted driving involves driving while doing another activity that takes your attention away from driving. Distracted driving activities include things like using a cell phone, texting, eating, drinking, and talking with passengers. Using in-vehicle technologies (such as navigation systems) and portable communication devices can also be sources of distraction while driving. Texting while driving is especially dangerous because it combines visual, manual and cognitive distractions. Theres one message we hope everyone receives loud and clear: the safest way to get from one place to another is to hang up and drive. Powering down your cell phone when youre behind the wheel can save lives - maybe even your own. says Ray LaHood, Secretary of Transportation.

Distracted driving activities include things like using a cell phone, texting, eating, drinking, and talking with passengers.