By: Jeffrey Lapin
The Texas Transportation Institute’s recent study, An Investigation Of The Effects Of Reading And Writing Text-Based Messages While Driving, found, among other things, that a driver’s reaction time is doubled when driving and sending or receiving a text message. The findings were worse than what most experts expected.
The general findings of the Study include:
Reaction Time
With no texting activity: typically between 1 and 2 seconds.
While texting: at least 3 to 4 seconds.
Texting Drivers Were Less Able To
Safely maintain their position in the driving lane;
Swerved more often than non-texting drivers; and
Maintain a constant speed while texting.
The Study’s authors note two other statistics that makes their research even more frightening for anyone on the roadway:
5 billion text messages are sent each day in the United States; and
20% of all drivers have admitted to texting while driving.
At Lapin Law Offices we believe that drivers should put down their smartphones and focus on what is most important: driving. When you are drive distracted, you not only put yourself at risk, you put everyone around you at risk as well.
Other posts and information by Lapin Law Offices about distracted driving:
Alarming Statistics Regarding Distracted Driving
“Heads Up Driving Week”: October 2-8, 2011
Drivers Understand But Often Ignore Risks of Texting or Talking on Cell Phone