Much recent press coverage has been centered on the dangers of texting while driving and the consequences of distracted driving.
The Federal Government banned texting by truck drivers, issued an executive order prohibiting texting while driving for governmental business or using a governmental vehicle.
Individual States have passes various laws over the use of cell phones or texting while driving.
Organizations such as Focus Driven have created web sites to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving.
Studies have shown that texting or even talking on a cell phone greatly increase the odds of being in a car accident. A recent study by the Navy indicates that writing a text message is more dangerous than reading a message, but both are dangerous.
The Navy study showed that slower reaction times resulted from texting and that lead to an average stopping distance of an increase of three car lengths. Those three car lengths could easily make the difference between avoiding an accident and having a serious automobile accident.
This increased press coverage has lead to jury awareness of the dangers inherent in texting while driving. A Texas jury recently awarded 22 million dollars in a wrongful death case where a college student was killed with allegations that the other driver, had been texting prior to the auto accident.
Additionally texting while driving or cell phone distraction has even lead to jail time in Texas.
The Naval Safety Center offers the following safety advice:
- Do not get in the habit of texting while driving
- If you already do text and drive-stop, and if you have urgent business or an emergency pull over
- Don’t ride with texting drivers; tell them to stop
- Concentrate on the road and other drivers when you are behind the wheel.
If you text and drive stop, if you do not it can cost you plenty.
