Texting in the car makes crash 23 times more likely
November 2, 2009 by Steve HannafordPosted in: In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views, Regulations & Compliance, Security
We all know that driving and text-messaging don’t mix. And the topic has gotten national recognition, with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently calling it a “national epidemic.”
Many states have passed or are passing legislation to ban the practice, but that’s not stopping compulsive texters.
But work pressures have way of making people take foolish risks. And many are. In a 2007 survey, tech research company IDC noted that 70% of the owners smartphones (BlackBerrys, iPhones and the like) admit to using them in the cars on a regular basis. Since the large majority of commuters ride alone, few of them are presumably sitting in the passenger seat. Add to commuters the large number of salespeople, service workers, and delivery drivers who are tethered more and more by software to the home office. And the growth of such devices has exploded since them, so presumably it’s getting worse.
There are no very good statistics on accidents caused by inattentive text messages and email readers. But a recent Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study found drivers just talking on a cell phone are 1.3 times more likely as non-distracted drivers to get in an accident or near-accident, while those dialing a cell phone are 2.8 times more accident probe. Worst, according to the study, is texting: “Text messaging made the risk of crash or near-crash event 23.2 times as high as non-distracted driving.”
Why do people do it? For many, the need to be on top of what’s going on in the office has become a must. The expectation is that calls will be answered, emails turned around on the spot. Add the tempting applications for weather reports, driving directions, and sports scores that can tempt the bored, lost or anxious commuter.
But don’t worry. If you get in an accident thanks to smartphone distraction (and survive), there’s an iPhone app (iWreck) to help you collect accident data for the insurance company.
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November 2nd, 2009 at 9:59 am
Distracted driving is a complex issue and one that is not easily solved with education and legislation alone. I have recently helped start a company, http://www.zoomsafer.com, which helps keeps drivers focused on the road and not their phones, but still keeps them connected with friends, family and co-workers. ZoomSafer auto-replies on your behalf to incoming text and emails and allows you to filter incoming calls to only priority contacts — keeping drivers safe and letting your contacts know that you will get back them when you arrive safely.
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:03 am
lol: “But don’t worry. If you get in an accident thanks to smartphone distraction (and survive), there’s an iPhone app (iWreck) to help you collect accident data for the insurance company.”
The lesson is not to text while driving, it is worse that not using a hands free devise on a phone call.
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:29 pm
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