Some recent studies suggest that drunken drivers actually perform better than people who are text messaging behind the wheel.
As if facing drivers under the influence at night wasn’t bad enough, now we have the added challenge of daytime “digital drunks” on cell phones. According to this New York Times article “Harvard researchers estimated that drivers on cellphones cause about 2,600 fatal crashes a year and 570,000 accidents.” Yikes!
So what can we do to head off traffic accidents caused by multitasking drivers and text messaging in particular?
One possible solution would be more stringent laws to ban texting while behind the wheel. But just like bans on littering and talking on a cell phone while on the go, such prohibitions are hard to enforce. How many people do you know that have gotten a ticket for talking on their phone?
Increasing our auto insurance rates to cover calling and texting related accidents could also discourage driving while under the influence of cell phones. Then again it might have the opposite effect by limiting personal responsibility.
Perhaps a stick approach is not the way to go? An alternative would be public campaigns featuring gruesome billboard photos of cell phone related traffic accidents and a hotline (NOT including a text number) for text addicts. TV and radio ads with testimonials from individuals who have lost loved ones due to cell phone negligence is another soft option. And the formation of public awareness groups with names like Mothers Against Transportation Texters (MATT) certainly couldn’t hurt.
Then there are technology solutions. Auto manufacturers could install devices which jam your cell phone signal as soon as you open the car door. But that would probably just create a whole new business opportunity for anti-jamming devices.
The best bet is voice activated texting features built right into cell phones. Sort of like hands-free instant messaging. If people are going to insist on real time communications while on the go, regardless of the consequences, we should at least make it less lethal.
Someday it’s likely cars will drive themselves. At that point digital drunkenness will cease to be a problem. But until technology prevails won’t you please turn up the radio and put your cell phone down? Your mother, and mine, will be much happier you did.
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