Texting While Driving Could Spell D-A-N-G-E-R

The popularity and availability of cellular phone technology make it possible for anyone, anywhere, to be connected.  In June 2005, about 57.2 billion text messages were sent in the United States.  By 2008, that number skyrocketed to 600.5 billion.  Many are concerned, however, that sending text messages while driving is a traffic safety danger. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, driver inattention is the leading factor in most crashes and near-crashes.    Because texting while driving is a relatively new activity, few studies have attempted to specifically measure the distraction it causes.  Studies conducted in simulators by the University of Utah, however, have shown that, compared to drunk drivers, those who are talking on a cell phone react more slowly and experience more rear-end crashes.  It is undisputed that the very act of text messaging takes a driver’s hands off the wheel and eyes off the road.