Study: 1 In 3 Americans Text And Drive

[love_katz]

113. Driving is multi-tasking all on its own, if the driver is doing a good job of it.

Doing other things adds to the load, which can quickly become over-load. The consequences for failure can be considerable: colliding with anything (which won't save you time, unless you think it is o.k. to hit and run), killing another living being (person or animal).

It is true that doing anything other than driving, while driving, can be a distraction. It is better to make less necessary adjustments while stopped (such as turning on a radio, changing a CD) instead of doing it while your vehicle is moving.

Talking with a passenger can be distracting...try to use good judgement on dropping the conversation if conditions on the road seem to call for it (e.g. rush hour anywhere, bad weather creating problems with either visibility and/or traction, etc.).

It simply makes sense to avoid adding distractions from non-essential activities like talking on cell phones, text messaging, personal grooming chores, even eating and drinking.

I know some people will think my standards are too strict, but I have been driving commercially for many years. People forget that driving is the number one activity in which you have the highest statistical chance of being severely injured, maimed for life, or killed. Being involved in a collision will not save you any time (or money), and you may wind up going places you never intended to go: the emergency ward, or the morg.

It IS NOT worth it, those precious seconds you spend being distracted from the road. They could turn out to be the most expensive seconds (or split seconds) of your life.