Texting while Driving

How Distracted Are We and Can We Stop It?

   Each day, more than 15 people are killed and 1,200 people are injured in crashes involving a distracted driver. I'd say we are highly distracted these days. Cell phones are the main culprit, but not the only one.
How many times have you tried to input information into your GPS while driving? How about setting up that DVD to entertain your kids?
There are three main types of distraction:
Visual - taking your eyes off of the road.
Manual - taking your hands off the steering wheel
Cognitive - taking your mind off what you are doing.
Texting is the most dangerous of distractions because it involves all three.
    Studies show 11% of drivers are talking on their phones at any given time, according to the New York Times. A Harvard study shows drivers using cell phones cause 2,600 traffic deaths and 570,000 accidents each year.  A CBS/NYT poll shows Americans believe texting while driving should be punished at least as harshly as driving while under the influence.
   Here in Texas we have laws in place to ban Cell phone use and texting by Bus drivers, novice drivers (under 18) and by anyone in a school zone. This is a National issue and not every state has these types of laws in place. Teen drivers are the largest groups of texters. It good to see young stars, like Gabby Douglas and Victoria Justice, promoting the prevention of Texting and Driving. While it is a huge risk for teen drivers, they are not the only ones to worry about. Your experience, or lack of it, will not matter if your eyes and mind are not on the road in front of you.
   There are apps to deter texting while driving. Textecution  is available on most carriers for iPhone and Android. This kills texting functions while driving. If the system recognizes the phone is traveling more than 10 mph, the texting function is disabled. It was designed with parents of teen drivers in mind.MobiLocPlus is a disabling app for Android phones. It works the same way as Textecution, and is free. But who will make the decision to use these apps? Most people think they are great drivers, who can handle the road. Many think they can text and keep control. Until the Unthinkable happens. What if it is you behind the wheel? or your Child?  How in control will you be then?
Don't text and drive. It truly is a matter of Life and Death.

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