Texting while driving is more dangerous than experts thought

July 29, 6:50 AMSacramento Working Moms ExaminerLisa Tedder

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Texting while driving - more than likely, we are all guilty of doing it at some time.  We live in a time where just about everyone has a phone that can text or access social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter, from young children to baby boomers and beyond.  As a working mom, who does not have a lot of time to conversate on the phone, I find that texting and social media have become my main source of communication with friends.

Texting is convenient, but a new study by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute shows that the risk exceeds previous estimates based on laboratory research and far surpasses the dangers of other driving distraction.

The new study was based on long-haul truck drivers from 2004 to 2007 that involved 203 truckers and 3 million miles on the road.  The truckers had video cameras placed in their cab for 18 months that would capture their faces during the 6 seconds before an accident or a near accident.  The study found that their collision rate was 23 times higher than when not texting!

"In 4.6 out of the six seconds, they weren't looking at the road. They were looking at the device," said Rich Hanowski, director of the institute's Center for Truck and Bus Safety. "Anything over two seconds is dangerous."

While you may be wondering what this has to do with you because you are not a truck driver, according to Hanowski, "the take-away issue here is this is a driver behavior issue, it's not isolated to truck drivers."

So before you grab that phone to text away, think about the danger you may be causing.  Not to mention that California does have a no texting while driving law, which can cost you $20 and $50 for consequent convictions, if you are cited.  I see it on the road every day during my commute.  People are driving with their knees, texting or typing a message, when all of a sudden they realize there is a red light and they need to stop, now! 

I would imagine that a voice recognized texting system will be invented soon.  Why not?  They have invented everything else to keep us connected while away from home or the office.

Photo Credits: www.flickr.com BY: whiteafrican