Dangers of Texting while Driving
Nowadays, it is a common occurrence to see people messaging from their cellular devices in the midst of driving. Many drivers, across the globe, engage in the practice without contemplating about the potential detrimental effects of their actions. Notably, researches have depicted that texting while driving is one of the major causes of road accidents. As a matter of fact, accidents caused due to messaging while driving have superseded those which are instigated by drunk drivers.
Worth noting is the fact that a majority of drivers are inclined to the belief that they can send some messages without negatively impacting on their driving abilities. However, studies have revealed that drivers are not as capable of multi-tasking as they believe they are. Researchers have discovered that drivers who text while driving look at the road 400 times lesser compared to those who do not message. According to the he National Highway Transportation Admission, texting while driving increases an individual's chances of being involved in an accident by 23%. In connection with that, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute equates texting for 5 seconds at a speed of 55 miles per hour with driving blind a distance equivalent to a football field.
Furthermore, the Human Factors & Ergonomics Society has revealed that messaging while driving tends to reduce an individual's brake reaction speed by almost 18%. Sometimes, the people get very absorbed into the text such that they momentarily forget that they are driving. Sadly, it is those few seconds of distraction which have cost several individuals their lives. Statistics conducted by the National safety council indicate that texting while driving responsible for over 1600000 accidents annually. On the other hand, the Harvard Center for attribute 330000 fatal injuries per year to texting while driving. Furthermore, the Institute for Highway Safety Fatality Facts has concluded that 11 teenagers die in road accidents daily which are caused by messaging the midst of driving.
Notably, many countries have passed laws which forbid messaging while driving. Whereas law enforcement agencies strive to ensure that drivers adhere to the regulations, everybody has an individual role to play in order to eradicate the menace. As such, parents should set a good example by refraining from making calls or texting while driving. People are often advised to pull off the road, park and respond to the text. Generally, teenagers tend to be rebellious in all aspects. In connection with that, parents can confiscate or lock up cellular devices of their teen children who take the driver's seat. However, the most effective means of minimizing accidents prompted by texting is avoiding the temptation to text while driving.
