Shocking stats, video on texting while driving

When I think about all the possible dangers associated with technology (cyberbullying, sexting, inappropriate material, online and game addiction and even the remote chance of being harmed by a predator), nothing strikes me as scarier than texting while driving.

A recently released study (PDF) by the VirginiaTech Transportation Institute found that truck drivers who were texting were 23 times more at risk of a "crash or near crash event" than "nondistracted driving." As per talking on a cell phone, the same study found no increased risk for truck drivers and 1.3 times the risk for car drivers. There was considerably more risk associated with dialing while driving. The institute's Richard Hanowski acknowledges that the numbers are likely to be different with car drivers. As reported by CNET's Jennifer Guevin, the study also found that "texting took a driver's focus away from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds--enough time...to travel the length of a football field at 55 mph."

A December 2007 simulator study by Clemson University found that "text messaging and using iPods caused drivers to leave their lanes 10 percent more often."

Paul Green, research professor at University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute who has done a decade's worth of research on driver distraction, said "from the science so far, it's very clearly a problem. We don't have exact statistics yet, we have enough information to say that texting shouldn't be permitted while driving."

The New York Times has created an interactive game that measures how reaction time is affected by distractions.

Teens at biggest risk

When it comes to texting while driving, teens are a particular risk group considering that, according to Nielsen (PDF), "The average U.S. mobile teen now sends or receives an average of 2,899 text-messages per month" and apparently some of those texts are being sent and read from behind the wheel.

A 2007 study conducted by AAA and Seventeen magazine has been widely misquoted as 46 percent of teens admit to texting while driving. But what the study found is that "61 percent of teens admit to risky driving habits." Forty-six percent of that 61 percent say that they text message while driving.

This issue is in the news a bit more than usual these days because of a shocking video created by a police department in the UK. It depicts a teenage girl texting while driving followed by a terrible crash with gruesome results for her friends in her car and the family whose car she hit. Before viewing the video (scroll down) please be aware that it is graphic and very disturbing. And before forwarding it to a teenager, also be aware that many youth risk prevention specialists question the effectiveness of videos that try to use shock value to change teen behavior.

Shock videos can backfire

Russell Sabella, professor of counseling in the College of Education, Florida Gulf Coast University, says that "While there is some research that shows that some students can be sensitized to potential consequences from videos like it, there is also evidence that students get emotionally aroused in the short term but desensitize in the long term. He said "some students get reinforced by the message that this happens to others but 'it won't happen to me.'"

Professor Sabella "would rather see a video with more positive role modeling such as someone who turns off their phone before they drive or perhaps uses a "designated texter"--someone else in the car who can do the texting for you." If a shock video is going to be used, he said "is has be of a comprehensive effort which includes kids, parents, teachers, legislators, and authorities."

"A more effective approach," said Patti Agatston from the Marietta, Ga.-based Prevention/Intervention Center, "might be to have teens involved in creating a public service announcement that include positive messages about looking out for themselves and the people they care about by not texting and driving." Agatston says that it's "helpful for youth to receive consistent and repeated messages from a variety of sources, including their peers and parents or guardians."

Don't just forward this to your kids

Indeed, if you are going to show this video to your kids, I suggest you watch it with them or, better yet, assemble a group of teens to watch it together and discuss it among themselves. What their peers say will have a bigger impact than what you say. You can view the video here:

[Go Sox]

The carnage on the road from texting is horribly sobering. Young people, whose judgement and experience are not inhibiting their behavior, are dying and being injured at an alarming rate. There is a technology which can eliminate that problem, but the FCC will not let the developer deploy it. Check out Cell Block Technologies at http://quietcell.com/ Embedding a quiet cell unit in the driver's headrest can inhibit use of cellphones and wireless devices for the driver of the vehicle. The device enables 911 calls to go through and is programmable to enable access in and out by designated numbers. This device can stop the carnage. Does the FCC want to see the death and destruction stopped or do they want to assure the status quo for the wireless industry?

[gwailo247]

Not that I don't disagree with the intent, but that will never fly, not in 'merica. We don't enact such strict measures without a really big disaster to necessitate it. We're more of a knee jerk reaction sort of a nation. The only way this would ever work is if insurance companies started requiring this for drivers, in return for lower premiums. But I don't see lawmakers passing this.

You can take a Darwinian approach to it, those avid texters will leave the gene pool soon enough, but they might take a few other with them. Studies unfortunately are not "reality" to most of the population. What you really need is some device/system/procedure that would allow police at the scene of an accident to determine if a cell phone was in use at the time of the crash. Only this way, when accident after accident are conclusively proven to be caused by cell phone use, then, maybe, you'll start seeing some general movement towards this.

[tektaktyks]

it is crazy what those kids do,they have no imagination and they are just really dumb.that video btw is great(shocking but it can wake ones imagination).how about a voice to text conversion in the cellphones?that could be a solution?

[MadLyb]

It isn't just kids. I just about got creamed by a middle age man who was paying more attention to his Blackberry than the road.

It just makes you want to drive a Monster Truck...or a Tank.

[zenwaves]

We need PSA's like that in America running in 'prime time'.

[Stefaninafla]

Sad, yes. Shocking? You mean that there are people out there who actually believe that taking your hands and eyes off the road at the same time ISN'T dangerous?
Good grief.

[Hosheen]

Anyone that thinks this will affect (not "impact") teenagers is woefully fooling themselves. What might help is if they had to purchase and pay for the phones and all expenses themselves. If they also had to buy and pay for all car expenses like insurance and maintenance themselves hat would help, too. But all of that would require responsible parenting. we're not likely to see hat soon, are we?

[Mattman704]

@ Go Sox: No thanks, man. You can have your 1984. If they EVER put that in cars sold in the US, I'll be the first to be seen dissecting my headrests and removing that BS. Then again, I've never understood the appeal of texting. If I need to say something to someone I call them on the phone and tell them. Not a big fan of the way text based communication is making our interactions so impersonal. People say things in texts and email they would never dare say on the phone or in person.

[tektaktyks]

in the mid 90's in europe cellphone usage was pretty expensive so all young people short on cash would text to save some money ,nowadays it became cool,for what reason ? guess people r silly

[edhudson]

I agree that texting while driving is very dangerous, and also believe that talking on a cell phone can be a distraction as well. My question is, when are they going to ban having another passenger in the vehicle with you, to whom you may be talking to, looking at, and otherwise being distracted from devoting 100% concentration on the road?

I even put a video on my blog about the texting and driving problem. Could this be even worse than driving while under the influence? http://askedhudson.com/texting-while-driving/

[sodapop2k9]

"Could this be even worse than driving while under the influence?" No. In fact it not as bad as listening to the radio (#1 distraction), having passengers(#2 distraction), or looking at things along the roadside(#3 distraction). Its hype; its evangelicalism. Risk is not probability.

[screamapillar]

In Victoria (Australia) they have restricted the amount of passengers a newly licenced driver can have - the primary aim was to stop the sort of mob-mentality/peer pressure to speed and/or drive recklessly but it was also to reduce the distraction. So yes, in some places this has also been acknowledged and acted upon by some governments.

[zmjman08]

If texting increases the risk of accidents so much, why haven't we seen a huge increase in accidents over the last 5-10 years?

[screamapillar]

Are you sure accidents haven't increased? I cannot comment on expenditure in the US but I assume it is similar to European and Australasian expenditure that just pumps billions into road safety. So oonsidering the stupid amounts of money poured into reducing road accidents, we should see these numbers in a constant steady decline. And yet, all over the world, we see the numbers stagnate or slowly climb. Yes, the population increases (which means that a steady number = a decreased rate) but that should be more than compensated by the funding to reduce road accidents. We should see a decrease in absolute numbers. Clearly, there are additional factors that are keeping these numbers high.

A few thoughts on why there may not be a 'huge' increase in accidents:
1. continued advances in basic safety of the vehicles (breaks/suspension in particular). Just think of the use of seatbelts now - it is very rare for even young people to not wear one but this took a generation to achieve. Those in their mid-late 30s and above are more likely to not wear a seatbelt than those in their twenties just purely due to that generational achievement.
2. decreases in other forms of accident causes (for example, accidents due to influence of illicit drugs have decreased in many legislatures); increased prevalence/use of 'designated drivers' etc.

What we HAVE seen is an increase in accidents involving young drivers (and fatalities) which could have a causal link to the increased usage of mobile phones by young adults compared to other drivers.

I think, unfortunately we are seeing a competing trend - ie the downward trend we SHOULD be seeing not occuring is being compatted by the trend for drivers to drink/text/etc.

[sodapop2k9]

It's all hype. Increased risk does not equal increased probability. Probability is what matters.

[ckh1272]

Hype or not, you obviously haven't been on the road lately or have been too busy texting to pay attention. It is that very mentality that will make this situation worse. Bank on it.

[sodapop2k9]

Actually I have been on the road quite a bit and there are extremely few accidents from texting. Risk is not translating to events. You can't even find an exact number for accidents cause specifically due to texting. Its a freakin mirage!

[ckh1272]

@sodapop2k9--I guess based on your statement, my point is proven regarding obliviousness. That club is getting bigger and bigger all the time.

[Hey_Radar]

Some may not like this, and I know there are holes in it, but...

I think they should use the GPS in the cell phones, and disable texting while the phone is moving faster than a certain mph, such as 10 mph.

I know this would disable texting for passengers as well, but if that is the only way to crack down on this, there may not be a choice.. Maybe some one can come up with a way for the cell to tell if you are a passenger or driver, which would give us the best of both worlds.

They could use this technology for calls as well, unless you have a head piece connected.

[charles-mike]

Hey guys have you tried http://www.drivesafe.ly/ its a amazing app for black berry and i think it can reduce the risk at the road so much.