If you are one of those people, who text while driving, then you should think twice. Many people and different authorities have stated that this is extremely dangerous, and it can result in numerous serious car accidents. Texting includes sending instant messages, or email or using any feature of the web, while driving a car. Texting while driving leads to high amount of distraction behind the wheel. Texting, while driving is extremely common among teenagers, who often admit that they get distracted, while driving. When your full attention is not on the road, it may create serious accidents. You are not only putting your life in danger, but you are also putting the lives of the other people on the road in a precarious position. In many states, texting while driving is restricted, and generally experts agree that texting while driving results in car accidents.
The International Telecommunication Union has found out that texting and making calls while driving is a serious source of driver distraction. This increases the possibility of traffic accidents. Texting while driving is considered more dangerous than talking on the phone, while driving. Read below to find some shocking statistics on this particular phenomenon.
Statistics
If you really want to convince yourself not to text, while driving, then it is worth reading texting while driving statistics. Around 1/3 of people in America have sent or received text messages while driving. There are around 41% people, who change GPS settings, while they are on the road, driving. Around 13% of people browse the Internet, while they are driving. Therefore, as one may notice, the trend towards texting while driving has been on the rise. With the increasing popularity of Smart phones and iPhones and Blackberry phones, this will continue to increase. However, there are many dangers associated with this phenomenon, as some facts will illustrate. A study conducted by Virginia Tech Driving institute showed that people who text while driving are 23 more times likely to meet with an accident. Moreover, people who text while driving are thought to be placing them in more danger, compared to drunk driving. Moreover, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has found out that around 5870 people have died in 2008 due to car crashes, because of texting. In United States alone, around 515,000 people were injured in car crashes, because they were texting, while on the road. However, one of the most surprising statistics included the fact that the car crashes in 2008 were caused by adults more, compared with teenagers. This is completely different from the general perception that teenagers text more while driving. The percentage of teenagers was around 28%, while the percentage of adults was around 47%.
Conclusion
Therefore, these shocking statistics should be enough to make you think twice before texting, while you’re behind the wheel. It is always better to be safe and sorry. These statistics are from United States alone. This trend may be applied worldwide, where smart phones and iPhones are in the hands of a high percentage of people.