Send text messages while driving: A Dangerous Combination

Send text messages while driving: A Dangerous Combination

Although cell phones have been around for three decades, the danger of texting while driving has become more alarming in recent years. We have made cell phones an important part of our daily life. We use them to make calls, send messages and emails, play, talks face to face, as GPS devices such as music players and more.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted drivers caused 18 percent of all fatal collisions in 2010. Each time we use the cell phone while we are driving, we not only put at risk our own lives but also the lives of others. Although teenagers are more vulnerable to being distracted while driving (according to a survey, 11% of drivers between 18 and 20 who were involved in a car accident, admitted to having been using their phones when the incident occurred); all run the risk of being seduced by our mobile ones.

According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, 41 states and DC (District of Columbia) they have completely banned sending text messages while driving. The exceptions are Arizona, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina and South Dakota. This means that our country still has a long way to go in terms of laws regulating the sending of text messages while driving.

The easiest way to avoid an accident is to avoid distractions. Keep this in mind:

• Turn off your phone. Receive messages, calls and notifications while driving is a major distraction factor. Even if you do not respond to these alerts, you will continue thinking about what it is and will be the temptation to take a look.
• Detente to answer. If you have to answer the phone or answer an urgent message, oríllate.
• Use your passengers. If you are traveling with more people, ask someone to read your messages or to answer the phone for you.
• Familiarize yourself with the laws of your state. This gives you an extra incentive to stay away from distractions.
• Not worth an accident. Even the best or worst news. Everything can wait, that's for sure.

Text messaging while driving is not efficient. It is an irresponsible activity that puts your safety and the safety of others in danger. Divert your eyes off the road even for a split second, it could be fatal. If you have teenagers at home who are learning to drive, sample numbers, show them the consequences and become the best example.