Texting while driving your car
Texting while driving is an alarming social epidemic that poses severe dangers to everyone on the road. The statistics are stark and indisputable, with 213 individuals losing their lives annually due to the reckless act of using a mobile phone while behind the wheel. Despite the knowledge that 97% of teenagers recognize the risks involved, an unsettling 43% continue to engage in this hazardous behavior, and 61% admit to checking their phones while driving.
When a driver sends a text, it typically diverts their attention from the road for about 5 seconds, which translates to a significant distance covered—at a speed of 50 km/h or 31 mph, that is roughly 70 meters, equivalent to the length of three Wimbledon tennis courts, completely blind to potential dangers. Texting while driving increases the likelihood of an accident by a staggering 23%.
Is it truly worth the risk to send a simple message such as “I will be late” or “I love you too,” only to jeopardize your life or the lives of others, potentially causing devastating crashes and heartbreaking tragedies on our roads?
TEXTING WHILE DRIVING AND THE LAW
Think about it: as a law-abiding citizen, being charged with causing death by dangerous driving could lead to a significant prison sentence. Furthermore, if you are caught using a mobile phone while driving, you will incur a hefty fine. The government is actively raising awareness about this issue by implementing increased fines and penalty points specifically for texting-related offenses.
It’s important to note that texting or making calls while driving is only permissible if you are a passenger or parked, and even then, you may only call emergency services if stopping is deemed impractical or unsafe. If you find it absolutely necessary to make calls while on the road, opt for hands-free mode, which is a feature available on all modern smartphones; you can even utilize speakerphone.
Additionally, there are various apps designed to convert your speech into text, ensuring you do not have to divert your eyes to the screen. However, remain vigilant, as you can still face prosecution if law enforcement believes you are not maintaining proper control of your vehicle while using these features. Is it truly worth the risk of texting while driving? Just consider the potential harm that could occur not only to yourself but also to others on the road.
Think of the dangers before texting while driving, it could save your life and other road users too.
Infographic supplied courtesy of
