Is texting while driving more dangerous than other distractions?

p.s. I typed this question at 75 mph.

Oral sex is way more dangerous.

The empirical data we have are generally related to the affects of diminiution of attention on the ability to complete tasks accurately.

The data strongly suggest that any distraction has an effect on performance. This certainly includes talking on a cell phone (either hand-held or hands-free), talking to a front-seat passenger, tuning a radio, adjusting a GPS device or listening to the radio or to music.

It is really safe

Texting uses the same part of the brain that driving skill use…Therefore, if you text, you are not driving, not according to your brain.

ahem

Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood kicked off a two day conference yesterday to discuss the dangers of distracted driving, which includes texting, cell phones and GPS. I don’t have any numbers but I did hear that he would like to put pressure on states to step up enforcement of existing laws or perhaps implement tougher new laws.

Can you listen to the radio while keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel?

Can you text while keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel?

I agree with the statement that texting uses the same part of your brain as driving, because I have tried it, and it scared the hell out if me (and gave me a headache). I did not feel, for those few seconds, like I was in control of the vehicle.

I’m voting for “worse than…”

Keep your mind on your driving, keep your hands on the wheel, keep your snoopy eyes on the road ahead! We’re havin’ fun, sittin’ in the back seat, kissin’ and a huggin’ with Fred! (Dee-doo-dee-doom, doom) Wish that I could be like Fred!

@PupnTaco knowing the part of the country you are from, I don’t believe for a minute that you could even go 75 mph even if you wanted to. I’ve driven those freeways enough to know that is next to impossible! Two words: Grid Lock!

All I know is that I don’t text and drive because when I do, I do them both poorly.

@laureth I think he means changing the radio stations/stereo settings.
But still it’s a very small task compared to texting.

I can usually text without even glancing at my phone just from memorized buttons and letters. I feel I can drive perfectly fine while texting….though, it’s probably not for everyone..

Why put yourself and other innocent drivers at risk? I live in NY and they banned cell phone use while driving. If the state thinks talking and driving is unsafe I’m assuming the same can be said about texting and driving. I’ve tried it and it’s honestly very scary. My heart beats a little faster. I get real nervous. I refuse to try again. All it takes is one second of looking down at your phone for something bad to happen. No matter how much you think you are good at it or how in control you claim to be…you’re not. Don’t do it. Sorry I rambled but I feel strongly about this topic. I know too many people who got in near fatal crashes because the other driver was on their cell.

Try this interactive activity from the New York Times.

It is incredibly dangerous.
Maybe you can do it successfully 99 times out of 100. What happens on that 100th time when you’re not successful?
All it takes is once to destroy lives.

Same goes for gps’, switching cd’s, eating, talking on the phone, reading the paper, being drunk, or reading your email.

I’ve always said that if someone crashes into me while driving and texting, and I survive, I will definitely shove that phone up their ass and see if they can text from that position. Put the goddamn phone down and drive. I’ve seen the people that think they are good enough drivers to drive and text at the same time. Trust me, you ARE not that good. I’ve had my driver’s license since 1976 and I never take my driving skills for granted. It’s like when you ride a motorcycle, you have to believe that every other car on the road is being driven by a drunk that doesn’t see you.

The state legislature of Illinois thinks that it is dangerous; effective in 2010, there will be a state-wide ban on texting while driving.

UK TV weighs in on the topic
Warning! Graphic. May disturb some viewers.

Texting while driving is stupid and you shouldn’t be able to drive if you do it.

Just watched the premiere of the show Trauma. Intense, a stupid guy caused a huge accident in the show because of texting.

No, that’s ridiculous it’s perfectly safe…wtf is that guy doing? OH GOD it’s a TRUCK AGHHHHHHHH!!!!

@Ivan Lurve for Auto tune the news. I just discovered this tonight, and it is genius.

Texting while driving is crazy. However, I have seen women doing their eye make-up in the mirror at 65mph. That is crazy-stupid.

@The_Compassionate_Heretic
That’s a great PSA. We need more powerful videos like that one in this country. Might save some lives

@PandoraBoxx I did that NYT test:
http://www.twitpic.com/jxbee/full

Definitely more dangerous for me. I’ve done it… once. I about had a heart attack. Though I talk on my phone frequently while driving. I know.

Okay, so I live in a SMALL suburb in a nice, quiet area. I was preparing to go out with my lil’ guy to do some yard work the Friday of Memorial Day weekend. All of a sudden there was a loud crash followed by car brake noise.

I looked out my dining room picture window, screamed, got the phone and ran out dialing 911.

A college age woman driving a sedan did not stop at the 4 way stop. An above middle age guy on his vespa hit her side panel. His helmet popped off and he landed skull first on the asphalt. He was unconscious for just under 10mins.

From the time the woman pulled her car off to my driveway, and all the way through til the cops & ambo were on the scene, the woman (who most likely was texting while driving) was texting non-stop…non-stop for around 45 mins, til Dad showed up to talk to the officers for her.

I watch people drive by my home in my quiet burb. About ½ of the people driving between the hours of 3–6pm are either talking or texting. I find that scary & stupid.

Is the person you’re talking or texting really more important than you and the other drivers on the road making it home alive? That’s what I want to go knock on their window to ask them.

not sure if anyone has posted this link, but this was a PSA commercial in UK about texting and driving. absolutely terrifying in my opinion. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pubTiDCEVZ8&feature=related

Yes, the data is there. The studies have been done. Texting is the most dangerous distraction.by an order of magnitude.

“Conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, the study revealed that texting was, by a wide margin, the most hazardous driver distraction.

“Texting was, on its own, by far the most dangerous thing,” said Dr. Rich Hanowski, director of VTTI’s Center for Truck and Bus Safety in Blacksburg, Va.

Fumbling around in the cab for an electronic device was next on the list of dangerous distractions, followed by dialing a cell phone. Having a cell phone conversation, while less risky than reaching for or dialing the phone, still increased the odds of a crash, VTTI said.

The common thread linking the most distracting behaviors was failure to watch the road. ” Source

“Even a cursory glance at the statistics is evidence enough that swift, comprehensive action must be taken on a national level to curb this reckless, potentially deadly, behavior: Driving while using a cell phone incurs a fourfold greater risk of crashing, equivalent to driving while drunk (with a 0.08 blood-alcohol level). For texters, the risk is eight times greater.” Source

“Extensive research shows the dangers of distracted driving. Studies say that drivers using phones are four times as likely to cause a crash as other drivers, and the likelihood that they will crash is equal to that of someone with a .08 percent blood alcohol level, the point at which drivers are generally considered intoxicated. Research also shows that hands-free devices do not eliminate the risks, and may worsen them by suggesting that the behavior is safe.

A 2003 Harvard study estimated that cellphone distractions caused 2,600 traffic deaths every year, and 330,000 accidents that result in moderate or severe injuries.”
Source

NTSA Study.

Avoid getting prosecuted for using your phone whilst driving. Simply pop your mobile inside a large shell and the police will think you are listening to the sea.

yeh i reckon it could be really dangerous….it would also be interesting to know how many people a yr now get run over because they arnt paying attention (because they are texting) whilst walking

@noodle_poodle You raise such a good point! I saw a woman texting step off the curb the opther day right in front of an SUV. We shouted and she just missed getting hit. I think it may happen a lot.

Any activity in the car that diverts the driver’s attention from the purpose of being in the car—i.e., to drive—is dangerous, whether obvious things like texting and phoning to seemingly benign activities like reaching for the glove box or changing the radio.

@Austinlad Yes, but studies show that cell phone use is worse than most and texting is significantly worse still.

A driver should drive. Period.

Well, @Austinlad , occasionally a driver must adjust the underwear fabric that has crept into his scrotal folds.

“Scrotal folds” is popping up in the strangest places. :P

Synchronicity! Have we rehabilitated Jung?

@Marina That’s the answer I was looking for, thanks!

ANY and ALL distractions while driving are dangerous to yourself and others no matter what they are.

Illuminated billboards?