Texting Raises Crash Risk 23 Times, Study Finds

[onehandle]

Source: New York Times

The first study of drivers texting inside their vehicles shows that the risk sharply exceeds previous estimates based on laboratory research — and far surpasses the dangers of other driving distractions.

The new study, which entailed outfitting the cabs of long-haul trucks with video cameras over 18 months, found that when the drivers texted, their collision risk was 23 times greater than when not texting.

The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, which compiled the research and plans to release its findings on Tuesday, also measured the time drivers take their eyes from the road to send or receive texts.

In the moments before a crash or near crash, drivers typically spent nearly five seconds looking at their devices — enough time at typical highway speeds to cover more than the length of a football field.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/28/technology/28texting.html

[EmperatressDem]

1. It definitely needs to be outlawed

It's like drinking and driving.

[MindPilot]

3. Much worse.

Welcome to DU!! This the first time I've gotten the honor of welcoming a single-poster!!

:hi:

[MindPilot]

2. Car & Driver Magazine did a test for the most recent issue

They compared drunk driving to text driving with young (22) and older (47)drivers. All they tested was straight line reaction time, but the results were astounding. At .08 BAC the booze added only 0.1 second to both drivers' reaction times, but the test while texting added as much as FOUR FULL SECONDS to the reaction time. At 70, that is over 300 feet your car traveled while you weren't paying attention.

At least when you are DUI, you are still driving; when you are texting, you're not even looking out the window.

And "texting" is not in the spellchecker.

[Robb]

4. And the test here was done with professional drivers.

Imagine 16-20 year-olds. Och.

[AlbertCat]

5. They had to do a test????

Did they do a test for

Reading comic books while driving

Typing out recipes while driving?


It's worse than expected because anyone who would even text while driving is already below average intelligence.


Texting is stupid anyway. It's a PHONE.... TALK INTO IT!

[cigsandcoffee]

6. Well, duh. I can't believe that needs to be "studied."

Just don't do this really stupid thing. This should be obvious to anyone with an IQ over 30.

[johnmcvi]

7. driver seat

We drive and drink, eat, read, talk on the phone, watch DVD/TV. If we could just figure out how to sleep and drive.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

8. Welcome to DU!

Every now and then you'll run across a DUer who sleeps and posts. :D

[Strong Atheist]

10. Welcome to DU!

:toast:

[Donnachaidh]

11. uhh no *we* don't read, talk on the phone, or watch DVD's while driving

And anyone who does is a MORON.

We had a dvd unit in our car, but it was for the kids in the BACK SEAT.

[slackmaster]

9. Most of the people who text while driving are young, inexperienced drivers in the first place

Ban it.

[latebloomer]

12. My friend was killed in a head-on collision with a texting teen

The teen died as well. My friend was a beautiful person, environmental and political activist, and the devoted mother of a 6-year-old girl, as well as a wife and stepmom to two teenage boys whose mother had died of cancer.

It boggles the mind to think that anyone could think it's OK to take their eyes off the road for such prolonged periods.

[MaineDem]

13. No shit, sherlock!

It seems so very obvious, no?

[Kingofalldems]

14. Is common sense a thing of the past?