StatisticsWe feel it is important for the reader to know what has happened when drivers haven't been paying attention to the road, especially by cell-phone use. Every driver takes a risk when he or she texts and drives.
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Why it's so dangerous.
Visually, your eyes are focused on what is going on your phone instead of the road ahead. |
At least one of your hands has to be taken off the wheel to use your phone. Using a hand to text makes it much more difficult to maneuver the vehicle. |
Your mind is distracted by the use of your cell phone. Whether you are checking messages or surfing the web, you are temporarily putting your focus on your phone. In that short period time, you risk getting into an accident. |
If your mind, eyes, and hands are removed from the road, you are much more likely to get into an accident. In a split second, your life could change forever, all for a text message.
"The average time taken away from watching the road ahead is just five seconds, but in that time period, a vehicle traveling at 55 mph will go the length of a football field. With attention distracted, it is like driving blindfolded for those few seconds. The results can and often are fatal."
Melinda J. Helbock, A.P.C., American Association for Justice
Who's texting and driving?
69% of drivers (aged 18-64) in the U.S. admit to using their cell phone while driving. These statistics are similar for teens too. |
During daylight hours, about 660,000 drivers are using their cell phones at all times. This activity increases the risks of becoming involved in an accident by three times over normal risk probability. From the United States of America Department of Transportation
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The Results
According to the National Safety Council, Using a cell phone while driving caused an estimated 1.5 million car accidents in the U.S. in 2018. |
The U.S. Department of Transportation reported that cell phone use while driving kills 3-000 to 6,000 people every year. |
Texting while driving is a contributing cause in 25% of all car accidents - resulting in almost 400,000 physical injuries. |
From the 2017 Study Published by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
For Teens
21 percent of teen drivers involved in fatal accidents were distracted by their cell phones. Teen drivers are 4x more likely than adults to get into car crashes or near-crashes when talking or texting on a cell phone. |
According to a AAA poll, 94 percent of teen drivers acknowledge the dangers of texting and driving, but 35% admitted to doing it anyway. 263 teens (age 15 to 19) were killed as a result of distracted driving in 2016. |
From a Study Published by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety in 2016.
Laws for Cell Phone Use While Driving by State
Learn More
To gain more information on texting and driving please visit our Resources page.