Overview
Existing studies postulate that texting and driving is as risky as driving under the influence. For some other studies, it is considered severely worse because it impairs 3 vital aspects of safe driving which include;
The CognitiveThe VisualThe Manual.
The Cognitive
Driving requires that one is always mentally prepared and attentive on the road to ensure the optimum safety of drivers and passersby. It requires processing various kinds of information all at once like the distance of cars on the road, the speed at which one is driving, humans crossing the roads, observing traffic lights and signs, and a host of other factors that ensure one is driving safely all the time. Texting demands some cognitive attention to ensure effectiveness and when done while driving, attention is split between the road and the texts.
The Visual
Texting also requires that one reads information on a device. Full attention to multiple tasks is often perceived as unwise and ineffective, making driving and texting incredibly dangerous because both activities demand that one is in full concentration. Anything short of that could lead to either a breakdown in communication for the texts or ineffective driving on the road. In other words, concentration on texting while driving is driving blind and vice versa.
The Manual
Both driving and texting require the use of fingers and by extension, one’s hands. Although some argue that the manual is not as risky as the other aspects of safe driving because one could effectively drive with one hand. While it is widely practiced amongst people, it is expected by the edicts of driving that one maintains the use of both hands at all times to ensure optimum reaction time to incidents on the road.
The Statistics of Texting and Driving
Several studies have been carried out on people as a result of the alarming number of accidents and deaths attributed to texting while driving and some of the discoveries are astonishing. For instance, a study postulates that it takes an average of 37 seconds to type the statement, “I am on my way home” while driving. In that time, for 26 seconds, it is the estimation of the study that the driver has their eyes off the road (Owens et al. 2011). So, depending on the speed at which the driver is going, reaction time based on road outcomes is severely impaired. Someone suddenly crossing the road, the switch of the traffic light from Green to Red, all of which this driver sending this text would most likely be unable to respond to.
Texting and Driving Facts You Should Know
In the United States, it is estimated according to the CDC that there is an annual death toll of 3000 resulting from texting while driving. According to drivesafeonile. org, in terms of the impaired effect it has on cognition, texting while driving is equivalent to consuming 4 beers in an hour. In fact, some studies show that the risk of texting while driving can be 4 times more likely to lead to an accident than driving under the influence of alcohol. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 660,000 drivers are actively making use of their phones while driving at various points during the day. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that texting while driving can be so distracting that at the speed of 55 mph, one could easily drive the length of a football field with their eyes off the road. According to Root Insurance, 39% of Americans admittedly shop on their phones while driving. Teenagers are 4 times more likely to be involved in car crashes than Adults due to talking or texting while driving.
Causes of Texting and Driving
Studies have identified FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) as one of the leading causal factors of texting while driving. One study in particular conducted in 2021 corroborates this hypothesis. the research done on “Fear of Missing Out Predicts Distraction By Social Reward Displayed on a Smartphone in Difficult Situations” reveals in its conclusion that distraction while driving i.e texting, can be traced to an individual’s reaction to contextual social reward or FOMO. Therefore, depending on the individual’s level of social desire we can draw a direct causal relationship between the Fear of Missing Out and texting while driving.
Conclusion
One must be fully focused at all times when driving because driving as an activity demands it. Doing anything otherwise could attract some punishment depending on where one is situated. Even with the presence of laws against texting while driving, the number of people doing it remains fairly consistent with previous years. We have to continue to help and educate ourselves to do better,
What can be considered distracted driving?
Answer: Distracted driving is driving a vehicle without absolute focus on the road or path. It involves having split attention between driving and another task.
Are there laws forbidding the use of phones while driving?
Answer: Yes. The laws and their severity vary based on location.
