Texting and Driving - It's a Dang It

Distracted driving is when an individual is distracted from their driving by some sort of distraction. In other words, distracted driving simply is any action that diverts a driver's attention from the main task of driving which results in them being unable to maintain a consistent speed and maintains an unsafe route. While most people can get distracted by just a conversation or a phone call, many others become completely distracted at low speeds and pose a grave threat to themselves and others on the road. Some of the main causes of distracted driving include: driving while talking on a cell phone, using cell phones as navigation systems, using a PDA (personal digital assistant) as a source of directions, reading text messages, using a hand held computer, and using an automobile GPS system. These are just a few of the main causes, however, there are others as well which was not mentioned in the previous paragraphs.

Another cause of distracted driving that was recently brought to the attention of the American public was the death of a University student who was walking back home from college when he was hit by a semivan driven by an intoxicated driver. The student died as a result of being struck by the vehicle as it traveled along the school zone. Police officials stated that the driver was not only legally drunk, but he also was extremely distracted by the illegal drugs and alcohol in his bloodstream at the time of the accident. Although this is one of the more recent accidents involving distracted drivers, it is important to remember that these types of accidents are happening all across the country on a daily basis.

One of the most common causes of distracted driving accidents is through what is called "text messaging." Cell phones have become incredibly popular over the past few years, and many people have begun to use them while driving without any type of physical impairment. Text messaging while driving has actually become one of the most common causes of accidents involving traffic. As previously mentioned, it is illegal to text message while driving, but many people feel that they are justified in using the cell phones. Unfortunately, this belief is completely misguided.

Text messaging can cause many different types of distractions, and some of these distractions are more dangerous than others. For instance, if you are talking on your cell phone, and another vehicle is coming up on you, chances are very good that you will miss your stop. If you are stopped at a red light, and another vehicle behind you is also making a turn, chances are even worse things are happening behind you. These are just a few of the common causes of accidents involving distracted driving.

Now, let's take a look at the last one...let's take a look at social media, shall we? Yes, I hear your objection that social media is just a distraction, and it is...and I agree. However, what I am saying is that it can also be a cure. In fact, studies have shown that people who are constantly posting on their social media pages tend to drive less. Therefore, if you want to save lives, then you should talk on your phone, but you should also talk to passengers and keep those passengers in the car, and drive your car.

Now, there is another problem with texting and driving, and it has to do with the NHTSA. The national highway traffic safety administration recently released information regarding the negative impact of cell phone use while driving. According to the NASTA, "the significant increase in distracted driving accidents that have been reported over the last few years has resulted in a serious national concern." That is because "there are clear and demonstrated links between cell phone use and accidents involving motor vehicles."

This is not an issue of opinion; this is fact. Over thirty percent of all accidents involved in 2021 involved at least one driver that was either distracted or not paying enough attention to the road. As a result, the NHTSA has introduced legislation that would require all individuals over twenty-one years of age to adjust their cell phone usage to no longer focusing completely on their cell phone screen. The goal is for cell phone companies to provide devices that would allow individuals to adjust their attention away from their devices. This would allow drivers to better maintain complete control of the vehicle and decrease the chance of having a serious distracted driver involved in a collision.

It may sound like common sense to some, and it should be. However, many people continue to text and drive without these changes being made. The problem is that it is not going to be easy, and it's not going to be quick. That means that, if you are a concerned parent, then it is imperative that you are aware of the current laws that are pertaining to cell phone use and distracted driving. The only way that these distracted driving laws will work is if we as a society are willing to get past our comfort zone, and start being practical.