For 2008 give yourself a gift with a future: Resolve not to Text Message while you’re driving.
December 28, 2007
Dec 31, 2007 -- /prbuzz/ --I’m not really a talk-on-the-phone kind of guy, but I do love to text message. But even I was pretty amazed at what I saw while riding to the Lakers/Spurs game last Thursday night at Staples Center. I counted at least 3 separate cars with a driver texting in them. Traffic was bad on the 101 and we were moving pretty slow -- 10 to 15 mph. So what’s the harm in checking your e-mail or sending a quick message from your phone? I think the better question is, is it worth risking your life to read and reply to a message?

What is alarming is that in a recent AAA poll conducted earlier this year, 28% of 16 and 17-year olds polled responded that they send text messages while driving. The numbers already show that talking on a handheld cell phone will increase your chances of getting into an accident by a factor of 3, and that’s with keeping your eyes mostly on the road! The danger in texting is that your eyes move back and forth from the road to your phone, typically located on a person’s lap or steering wheel. Those few precious seconds back and forth can be the difference between avoiding an accident or rear-ending the car in front of you and causing a chain reaction.

The issue has received the much needed attention it deserves recently after the tragic death of Bailey Goodman and her four friends in Bloomfield, New York. Goodman, riding with her fellow cheerleaders, swerved her Chevy Trailblazer into oncoming traffic, and crashed into a tractor trailer. Police have concluded that driver inexperience and excessive cell phone use (texting) were the causes of the accident.

Only Washington State has a law that specifically prohibits texting while driving. Many other states are working on legislation to tack on to current laws prohibiting talking on a hand held cell phone while driving. Do yourself a favor and go ahead and cut out the texting while driving now. Sure, your friend may have to wait a few extra minutes to get a response back. But you, your passengers, and other drivers on the road, will be safer.

Connect with Kids has a good video on texting and driving. Check it out. http://www.connectwithkids.com/tipsheet/2006/293_aug9/thisweek/060809_text.shtml

I wish you all a wonderful and safe holiday season and a great start to 2008.

-Ryan Buckholtz
Director TeenDriving.com

Teendriving.com, the Internet’s top teen driving website, provides tips for teen and new drivers and is committed to promoting safe driving for all drivers. Founded in 1994 by Ryan Buckholtz and his mom, Eileen Buckholtz, the site has provided trusted information on safe driving to teens and their families for over thirteen years.

For more information visit www.teendriving.com or email This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

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Texting while Driving Reaching Dangerous Levels


 
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