How dangerous is texting while driving?
Bans on talking or texting while driving are becoming more common in states and counties across the U.S., and past Zogby Interactive surveys find as many as 83% of Americans support driving while texting bans, while more than half agree talking on a cell phone should be banned – even with a headset.
For many drivers, it comes down to the issue of distraction – nearly everyone can recall a time when they’ve seen another driver paying more attention to their conversation than traffic while chatting away on a cell phone. “Traffic texters” may be harder to spot if a cell phone is held down low, but at least one hand is required to type and checking for a reply could take a driver’s eyes off the road. But are these talking or texting driving distractions any worse than eating, smoking, or adjusting the stereo while driving? What about monitoring a GPS navigation system, or keeping an eye on unruly pets or restless children in the backseat? For 22% of respondents in a September 2007 Zogby Interactive poll, typing, sending or receiving text massages was considered the most dangerous driving distraction, and another 10% said talking on a cell phone without a headset created the most dangerous driving situation – even more dangerous than being drunk or impaired by drugs while behind the wheel (58% said being drunk or high while driving was most dangerous).
Do you think texting or talking on a cell phone while driving is as great or more of a cause for concern than drunk driving? Should current laws in some states and counties banning texting or using a cell phone while driving be expanded to include other driving distractions or should these bans never have been passed in the first place?
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Hey Steph….
You forgot to quote a scale, you know 1…5…10 with 10 being extremely dangerous. I’d say it’s an 8.5.
I am all for banning cell phone use and text messaging while driving, but at the same time, I can’t help but wonder what will be the next to be banned. Aren’t we all guilty of driving while distracted at some point? How many of us sip coffee from a Styrofoam cup or travel mug while we are driving or munch on a doughnut or sandwich? I have seen many women putting on makeup or men putting on neckties at signals. I have even heard friends telling stories of changing their clothes while behind the wheel. Anything can and will distract us while driving. Maybe when it all come down to it, text messaging or cell phone usage while driving is no different than your kids bickering while driving, changing the CD or station on the radio, or rubbernecking at an accident or the police pulling someone over. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am not about to lose my right to change the station on my radio or sip my cup of coffee while driving. Maybe placing a ban on things is not the way to go about solving the problem. Case and point…how many people do you see still driving with their cell phone glued to their ear even though it is banned in some areas?
All you have to do is ask the families and friends of the 4 beautiful girls from Fairport who died as a result of texting while driving. It was preventable. I agree that we’ve all had our brief moments of inattention while driving, but to me, texting is more distracting than changing a radio station.
Texting should be banned. Talking on a cell phone should be allowed if a hands-free device is used.
How dangerous? I like Abraham’s scale. I’m gonna go with a 9.0 on this one.
Common sense dictates that “it” shouldn’t be done. Do we really need the governments to legislate common sense? I guess so, unfortunately. There’s just one problem with that, though: Government doesn’t do anything very well.
How on earth can such a thing be enforced? I mean, really. Do We The People need to abdicate our every personal responsibility to the government? Great, so if I’m in an accident caused by someone distracted by talking or texting on a cell phone I’ll have legal redress. Supah-dupah. (woops, what if I die in that accident?)
Driving is a responsibility. I guess we can’t handle such responsibility any more without a government nanny with us at all times.
Dangerous! 9.5. Rather take my chances with well practiced drunks at bar closing.
There *should* be no need to legislate on this issue – it’s a no-brainer. Unfortunately, there are a whole lot of “no-brains” out there.
The simplest solution to the problem (it is a serious problem) might go something like this …
On the driver’s licensing test, ask this question:
Would you prefer that the driver of that gravel-train behind you be engaged in a text-chat with his (girlfriend/truckdriver-buddy), OR paying attention to traffic (ie: YOUR sweet derriere)?
Anyone who answers incorrectly is immediately refused (or relieved of) all driving priviliges – no exceptions.