One in three American drivers have admitted to texting while driving. This is not very surprising in this day and age. Americans don’t just use their phones for making phone calls anymore. They use them for an array of things such as: text messaging, social networking, checking e-mails and browsing the web. The only problem with this is people are doing it while they are driving.
Distracted driving is dangerous
People who text and drive are 23 times more likely to have an accident then people who are not distracted while driving. In a test setting, it was shown that drunk drivers have faster response times then drivers who were reading and sending text messages. So, how do we put a stop to this dangerous activity that has been occurring on the roads? One way states are trying to reduce accidents is by passing distracted driving laws. In fact, 39 states have distracted driving laws and 11 do not. Hopefully, this will change in the near future. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is leading by example on their stand against texting and driving. They made it an official agency policy to prohibit employees from texting and driving while on the job and when they are using government vehicles.
Phone apps and hands-free options
Wireless carriers, software developers and car manufacturers have been developing tools and applications that make a difference in the safety of distracted driving. Many phone applications have been created to turn off the call and text message settings. There are also many phones that have voice commands you can use while driving instead of having to use the keyboard. Many new vehicles have the hands-free Bluetooth setting in their cars where a driver can keep both hands on the wheel and talk through their vehicle’s speaker system.
Related: Prevent Distracted Driving Among Teen Drivers With Apps
It’s no lie that something needs to be done about distracted driving. In the meantime, we can all do our part to educate and eliminate the different forms of distracted driving as much as possible. The Schafer Law Office is doing their part. Are you?