Test Demonstrates Texting While Behind The Wheel Can Be Even More Dangerous Than Drunk Driving

[ecstatic]

http://blogs.cars.com/.a/6a00d83451b3c669e201157063a323970c-800wi

Road Test Comparing Driver Reaction Times Indicates Potential Deadly Scenario

ANN ARBOR, Mich., June 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Text messaging is on the rise, and undoubtedly, some "texters" or "tweeters" are sending and receiving messages while driving. In December 2008, more than 110 billion messages were being sent each month, up from less than 10 billion just three years ago. To gauge the effect of these road messagers, Car and Driver magazine decided to conduct a road test to determine just how dangerous texting and driving can be. The results were eye-opening.

Previous academic studies have shown texting while driving using simulators impairs a driver's abilities. But as far as we know, no study has been conducted in a real vehicle that is being driven. In addition, Car and Driver also compared the results of texting to the effects of drunk driving, on the same day and under the exact same conditions.

The focus of the test was solely on the driver's reaction time. All of the driving was done in a straight line on an 11,800-foot runway. Given the prevalence of the BlackBerry, the iPhone, and other text-friendly mobile phones, the test subjects would have devices with full QWERTY keypads and would be familiar with text messaging. A web intern 22, armed with an iPhone, would represent the younger crowd. The older demographic would be covered by Editor-in-Chief, Eddie Alterman, 37.

After conducting the texting tests on both drivers at 35 mph and 70 mph, the test subjects then drank alcoholic cocktails until they reached the legal driving limit of 0.08 percent blood-alcohol content. They then went back behind the wheel and ran the identical test without any texting distractions.

http://news.prnewswire.com/ViewContent.aspx?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/06-25-2009/0005050216&EDATE=

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2009/06/texting-could-be-more-dangerous-than-drunken-driving.html

[el_bryanto]

1. Who knew not paying attention while driving could be dangerous?

But the truth is that these only apply to idiots who don't know how to text while driving. If you can't handle texting while driving, don't text while driving. I handle it just fine, and if I happen to be drunk while texting and driving, well I handle that just fine too.

Bryant

[ecstatic]

5. That's what EVERYONE thinks about him/herself

But is it really worth it to find out you're wrong?

[Bicoastal]

8. I was nearly killed after my friend drove drunk with me in the passenger seat...

...and up until the moment of collision, he was saying "Whaddya mean, stop veering? I'm driving just fine!"

[Javaman]

2. I think we can file this under the "no shit" category. nt

[hobbit709]

3. Driving and yakking on phone is more dangerous than drunk driving.

Texting, watching videos, etc. will only make it worse.

[Eric J in MN]

9. Yes, and it doesn't matter if the person is holding the phone or not.

When states pass laws against talking on the phone while driving, there is usually an exception for phones which the driver doesn't have to hold.

Exceptions which don't make sense since it's the distraction which causes the problem, not one hand on the wheel.

[havocmom]

4. Glad we are getting hard data on this issue

I am tired of dodging idiots who are texting.

[Democracyinkind]

6. Imagine the effects of DUI and texting at the same time. A perfect storm. nt

[-..__...]

17. Texting/Tweeting while DUI.

Suuuup, d00000dz! Jist leftt der pub annd am onehiway heding fr parti. will be tther sho... <signal lost>

[ecstatic]

22. Sadly, they would probably tweet during their last moments

Car crash. I'm dead.............

[Eric J in MN]

7. RE "even if sweeping legislation were passed today to outlaw any typing behind the wheel..."

"...it would still be very difficult to enforce the law."

Phone records would show if the person were texting shortly before being pulled over or in an accident.

It wouldn't be that difficult to enforce a law against texting.

[MindPilot]

14. How would that work?

I'm rolling down the freeway texting and I momentarily leave my lane. Cop lights me up and we are on the shoulder.

Cop: Were you texting a moment ago? I pulled you over because you were weaving.

Me: No, I was just going to change lanes back there then I decided not to.

Cop: Sign this; you will need to appear in court in two weeks with your phone records. For now you are being charged with texting while driving.

So we end up with a situation where either virtually any traffic violation is probable cause to access your phone records or you are put in a position of self-incrimination by being required to produce them.

BTW "texting" is not in the spell-checker.

[Eric J in MN]

16. If you just weaved once....

...then the cop shouldn't pull you over in the first place, since drivers sometimes do that when they change their minds about changing lanes.

If you weaved multiple times, and you didn't seem drunk when he spoke to you, then he should be able to access from the phone company how many texts you sent in the relevant time period, not the message itself or the recipients' names.

[MindPilot]

20. Right there on the spot?

What if you didn't produce your cell phone? Probable cause for a search?

I think the only way to force a driver to produce cell phone records would be to build that in as a condition of the driver's license--like is done now with your BAC. Problem is that it is a further erosion of rights and the DMV can, like credit card companies, change the terms and you can't.

I think this is best fought with education. And perhaps some devices similar to the speed cameras that detect cell phone signals from a vehicle and flash a sign that says "HANG UP AND DRIVE!"

Unfortunately since every city and town needs money, I can see this one being a prime candidate for photo enforcement.:scared:

[Eric J in MN]

21. I'm not advocating searches of drivers or their cars in that situation.

I meant that phone records can be obtained without having the phone used.

I don't know if the technology would let that be done from cop car during the stop or if it takes too much time.

[MindPilot]

10. At least a drunk driver is still looking out the window.

The problem is how would you fix this with anything more than education unless you are willing to allow law enforcement to have even more draconian "tools" like being able to test for cellular transmissions from a vehicle at the same moment the vehicle is weaving.

And that of course means the cop has to be looking at something other than the road too.

[JerseygirlCT]

11. I cannot believe that people are stupid enough to text while driving.

Honestly. They're too stupid to be allowed behind the wheel.

Eyes on the road, folks. Your desperately important message can wait until you can pull over.

[SidDithers]

12. I like to drive and read DU on my iPhone ...

while drinking a coffee and scarfing an Egg Mcmuffin.

Oh, and shaving too.

But it's OK. I'm a very good driver, so I can handle it.

Sid

[rocktivity]

13. Drinking and driving can be done with one hand

and both eyes on the road...

:eyes:
rocktivity

[MindPilot]

15. Both hands: It's the beautiful thing about DUI vs all other means of public endangerment

You can do your drinking BEFORE you drive!!

[kath]

18. Winner of the "No Shit, Sherlock" award of the day.

[galileoreloaded]

19. Do it all the time, works great. These people just need more practice.

HA!