Study Shows Driving While Texting More Dangerous than DUI
The results of a study conducted by the Automobile Association of America has shown that driving-while texting (DWT) increases the likelihood of being involved in a car accident by a staggering 50 percent. A similar study also showed that DWT was considerably more dangerous than driving while under the influence (DUI).
One of the studies simulated driving with a light turning red on the dashboard to show a car stopping suddenly in front. Results showed that it took longer and required a much greater distance for a DWT driver to stop than a DUI driver. According to this particular scenario, texting is significantly worse than being drunk when operating a motorcycle or motor vehicle.
While the rate of auto accident deaths due to DWTs increases, researchers at the University of Utah have developed a device they named Key2SafeDriving which blocks all cell phones in a car that has its ignition turned on. This program would allow calls to 911 and other special numbers the override the disarming. DWTs is a significant problem not only on freeways and streets, but on train and trolley tracks as well. Recently in Southern California, a commuter train engineer ran a red light while texting and caused a train crash that killed 25 people and injured 130 others.
While you cannot control the actions of others, you can start with yourself and not only eliminate the distraction caused by texting, but be more alert to potential accidents that will be caused by those who are. You can read more about this study in this KansasCity.com story.
If you or anyone you know has ever been injured or killed in a San Diego driving while texting auto accident, please contact San Diego car accident attorney Ross Jurewitz and the San Diego personal injury lawyers at the Jurewitz Law Group at (619) 233-5020. You may also contact these San Diego injury attorneys online here.
