Is Texting Worth The Risk?

Do you want to sit by and stare as several people continue to die every day of a single cause? Texting while driving is something that some people see as a little habit, but it could cost someone their life. Texting while driving rates have gone up considerably in the last couple years, but especially in teens. Surprisingly, the driving while intoxicated rates have gone down. Which is a bigger risk? Unless more restrictions are put on texting and driving, more people will die everyday.

Texting while driving kills several people everyday. Studies show that about eleven teens die in crashes involving texting and driving daily. Many more are injured. Over sixty-percent of America’s teens have admitted to distracted driving. Almost half of them have also admitted to texting behind the wheel. Sneaking a little peek at the four word text your friend just sent you, could cost you or someone else their life.

Texting while driving makes a person twenty-three times more likely to crash. Tests have shown that talking on a cell phone on the road makes someone four times as likely to crash. But, they have also shown that sending a text message, makes a person twenty-three times more likely to crash. While texting, it is necessary to look at the screen not what is surrounding. Not saying that talking on the phone while driving isn’t a risk, but texting while driving is a much bigger one.

Texting while driving six times more dangerous than driving while drunk. A test was done showing that if someone was not impaired in any way, it takes 0.54 seconds to brake in a car. While legally drunk, add four feet to the original distance. While reading an email, add thirty-six feet. And while sending a text, add seventy-five feet to the original distance. In those seventy-five feet, anything could be hit. Another car, a bike, or even a pedestrian. Is that worth the risk?

More restrictions on texting and driving could make roads safer for drivers, passengers and pedestrians. Whatever governments are doing to restrict texting and driving is not enough. They need to up their focus and bring those kill rates down. Texting while driving is a dangerous habit that needs to be stopped.