Texting & Driving reasons not to do it
Distracted Driving Distracted Driving is among the most problematic activities for those ages 16-24. This age group is only a fraction of total drivers, but seem to be in the most amount of danger. What is it about this age group that makes them so prone to distraction? Is it something in our culture or it is a problem of maturity? You have made it this far without getting distracted; you must want something. Perhaps to learn about distracted driving? Perhaps having this knowledge will save a life? Perhaps yours?
but what is distracted driving?
it is any activity that removes your focus from driving, such as: 6%
[grooming]
6%
[reaching for something]
9%
[looking at something outside]
8%
[singing]
12%
[using a cellphone]
cellphones are problematic What is it that separates them from the other forms of distractions? The answer:
time.
The average text takes 5 seconds to read. That does not seem like a long time, but would you ever close your eyes for 5 seconds while driving? No, becasue that would make you an idiot.
Beyond this, cell phones are simply distracting. They so often demand our attention.
It doesn’t matter what it is. A text, a tweet, an update, or a snap. We are constantly connected.
But this isn’t news to anyone. And most people know not to text and drive anyway, right?
lol, nope At any given moment, 660,000 people are texting while driving.
Just for perspective, that’s more than the population of Vermont. Wait. What? Is he serious?
VT
So basically, at least every single person in Vermont is driving and texting all the time.
at least they aren’t trashed? I mean, who isn’t against drunk driving? And that’s obviously worse, right?
Drunk people have the unique advantage of being able to see.
The issues aren’t so separate either. Teens who text and drive are...
as likely to drink & drive
so.... yeah...
but drunk driving is still clearly worse Texting and driving is just as much an impairment as drinking 4 beers.
Rates of drunk driving have also decreased over the years, while texting and driving has gone up by 22%.
but not that many actually do it, right?
20% of teens and 10% parents admit to texting and driving
ok but how bad is texting and driving really? Texting and driving increases risk of crash by a factor of 4
In fact, 1 in 4 crashes in the US are caused by Distracted Driving.
It’s especially problematic for inexperienced drivers.
what’s the damage?
17% of crashes resulting in injury are the result of distraction.
10% of drivers under the age of 20 are killed in fatal accidents due to distraction. That’s one of these guys.
It can’t be that bad... it is.
3,154 people are killed due to distracted driving. 424,000 are injured. that’s a lot of people.
a lot of people (3,154)
but at least it’s illegal The law is difficult to enforce. Most studies suggest that having it be illegal only causes people to hide their texting more, taking their eyes further from the road. Some states to carry a heavy penalty. Alaska will fine you up to $10,000 if caught doing so.
give me your money!
what does that mean to you? Let’s ask a deep question. What does that mean for you?
What would it be like to know you killed someone? What would your mother think if she never saw you again? More importatnly, what would your dog think?
I know you love your phone, but remember, when you die, you can no longer use a phone.
don’t text and drive stay alive use your phone
Layton Windust