Apparently, recent research has shown that motorist who write text messages while driving are more dangerous than those who drink or take drugs then get behind the wheel. Reaction times went down by 35 percent for those who sent texts – to be honest I would have imagined that it would be lower (but that’s not an endorsement of this illegal activity).
Drivers who were at the alcohol limit permissible by law saw a 12 percent drop in their reactions, whilst those who had recently indulged in cannabis were 21 percent slower than normal. Amazingly, only those who were talking on a mobile and holding it in their hand(s) were worse affected than a person writing a text.
Using a simulator, motorists aged 17 to 24 carried out driving skills while writing, reading and ignoring text messages. They all showed the impact of these activities and seemingly even ignoring a text is enough to snatch concentration from a driver – critical when there may be difficult road conditions.
The RAC Foundation, who completed the research, had their director make the following statement:
“No responsible motorist would drink and drive” – so I think it’s fair to add to that no sensible motorist will therefore text behind the wheel either. It’s in the culture of course, it is ingrained in us that it is very simple to pick up a phone and send a message. It’s also very easy to forget how, when your concentration wavers, a car is in effect a deadly weapon.
This all means that texting while driving, or perhaps even having your phone on (or on with volume at least) simply shouldn’t be done. It should be consigned to the waste bin that includes driving whilst excessively tired, driving with annoying passengers (that one isn’t a joke), drink-driving, drug-driving and anything else that takes your mind off the matter at hand – completing your journey in a safe and effective way.
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