Texting While Driving

Texting While Driving

anonymous
10/28/10
English/Composition

Texting and Driving
In today’s society people have become completely dependent on their cell phones. They make lives easier in many ways because of the useful features and functions that assist with communication with one another. One of the features that have changed the way people communicate is the capability to send SMS (Short Message Service) messages better known as text messages. Unfortunately texting has also become a huge safety concern when it is done while driving. While certain distractions while driving are inevitable, texting while driving requires serious attention and focus and thus should not be done.
A study by Virginia Tech Driving Institute revealed that those who resort to texting while driving are 23 time more likely to meet with an accident. A comparative study of texting while driving vs. drunken driving statistics published in a leading car magazine in the United States revealed that texting while driving is even more dangerous than drunk driving. Studies show that a person who is texting while driving at the speed of 35 mph will cover 25 ft before bringing the car to complete halt as compared to a distance of 4 ft which a drunk driver would cover at the same speed. According to the texting while driving death statistics compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 5,870 people died in car crashes in 2008 alone. The same statistics revealed that 515,000 people were injured in various car crashes in the United States. Around 28 percent of all crashes in 2008 were caused by drivers in the age group of 18 and 29, who admitted to texting while driving.
In May, Wisconsin became the 25th state to ban the act of text messaging while driving any motor vehicle. Starting in December, Wisconsin drivers caught sending or composing a text message or e-mail on their mobile devices while driving will face a fine ranging from $20 to $400. Wisconsin drivers also face similar fines...