The Visor

Texting is more dangerous than drinking and driving

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September 4, 2009

Staff

We all know drinking and driving is shortsighted and senseless. It slows down reaction time and horrific accidents can easily become a reality. But the misconception is that text-messaging while driving is nowhere near as dangerous and since we all do it is not a true danger.

While we may all be guilty of text messaging and driving at one point or another text-messaging has proven to be chillingly dangerous and can increase a driver’s chances of being involved in an accident by 23 times.

A recent CNBC study set up to test breaking abilities in three scenarios: driving unimpaired, driving while intoxicated and text-messaging. The results were unsettling.

Reaction time for unimpaired driving took .54 seconds to break. Legally impaired driving took an additional four feet to stop the car completely. Text messaging and driving took 70 extra feet to stop the car.

Cell phones and PDA’s are now being banned in seven states, with five others having the option for cities to ban them locally.

17 states and the District of

Columbia have now banned any form of typing on communication devices while driving for drivers of all levels and ages.

The ban is a welcome idea because it forces drivers to recognize the danger and realize the consequences text-messaging while driving can have.

21 states and D.C. banned usage by only novice drivers. Novice drivers have less experience driving, so their main focus in driving should obviously be on the road.

But then again everyone’s focus, whether they have driven for two months or 30 years, should be on the road.

Supporting the text-messaging ban would be the multiple crashes that have ended in mass deaths across the country by highly certified city drivers. Including at least four Amtrak crashes with engineers that had or were suspected to have been sending out messages right before the accidents occurred. So much for experience.

The city of Cleveland passed a law banning text messaging within city limits that went into effect July 19 and Cincinnati may be following close behind.

Fines start out at $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second and $500 for each subsequent offense.

Ohio is well on it’s way to a state-wide ban with three pending legislations that could possibly end up eliminating cell phone usage completely while driving—including the use of hands free devices.

Even though tickets are not being handed out statewide think about what or who could be in the extra 70 feet it would take to stop.

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