Text driving is worse than drink driving

September 24th, 2008

We all know the risks of driving while under the influence of alcohol and now a new study has shown that texting while driving is even worse.

The RAC Foundation has found that the average reaction times for driving slowed by a third (35%) while the driver was writing or reading a text. This compares to 12% for those who drank alcohol and 21% who had taken cannabis. The study was carried out in simulators using drivers aged between 17 and 24.

Apparently as many as 50% of drivers aged between 17 and 24 admit to texting while driving. The study showed that when texting the drivers lost concentration and drifted out of lanes and had poorer steering control. The Times reports that the steering control of texters was 91% poorer than those drivers concentrating fully on the road.

There has also been more recent call to ban smoking when driving. This was highlighted back in 2007 when there were concerns that the ban on smoking in public places may encourage people to smoke more in their cars. Like drinking, eating and using your mobile phone, smoking is a very dangerous distraction. If you are trying to light a cigarette or if you drop a cigarette when you are driving your attention is immediately taken off of the road and this makes you much more likely to have an accident.

Unfortunately some innocent people have lost their lives due to these kinds of distractions. There are new laws coming in that could see drivers being jailed for up to five years if they cause a death while using their mobile phone, applying make up or eating and drinking. If you need to have a cigarette, have something to eat or need to contact someone on your phone, then pull over and do it safely, don’t put other innocent people and yourself in danger.

Entry Filed under: advice, speeding, cars