Dangers of Texting While Driving

By Thomas Havercamp, Prevention Specialist, Employee Assistance Program, Rock Island ArsenalJune 28, 2010

Play It Safe, Don't Text And Drive
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- Everyone knows that people can get distracted while behind the wheel. Changing CDs, putting on make-up, eating, and many other things can distract us from focusing on the road while we drive.

It is easy to become complacent while driving if you have never suffered a tragedy.

Unfortunately, tragedies that result from distracted driving are increasing.

A new epidemic of distracted drivers is on the rise - texting while driving. According to <a href="http://www.textingwhiledrivingstatistics.com/" target="_blank">textingwhiledrivingstatistics.com</a>, you are 23 times more likely to get into an accident if you are texting while driving. Last year, 29 percent of accidents were caused by drivers between the ages of 18 and 29 sending and receiving text messages while driving. Due to the fact that text messaging slows a driver's reaction time by 30 percent, texting while driving has been shown to cause greater impairment than being on drugs or drinking while driving. Accidents caused by texting and driving that result in fatalities are currently half of those caused by drunk driving. The United Kingdom has released a Public Service Announcement that dramatizes the reality and danger behind texting while driving.

Caution -- the content of the video from the following link is graphic and may be disturbing to some viewers. The people in this video are actors. This is a staged dramatic representation of the cold reality of what can happen to you, a family member or a friend as a result of texting while driving. Viewer discretion is advised.

To view the PSA, click on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch'v=R0LCmStIw9E" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch'v=R0LCmStIw9E</a>

Please help the <a href="http://riamwr.com/eap.htm" target="_blank">Arsenal's Employee Assistance Program</a>spread the message of the dangers of texting while driving so we can stop these unnecessary tragedies.