Drivers Keep Texting and Driving Though Aware of its Danger

With all the talks and news highlighting the dangers and risks involved with distracted driving, you may think that most people will now think twice before repeating this deadly practice. Unfortunately, a new study reveals a disturbing fact: Drivers know the risk, but still continue to do it anyway.

The small-scale survey was conducted by odbEdge, the creator of Cellcontrol, on 100 respondents to find out their views on distracted driving. Reportedly, 88 percent of them admitted to using their phones to text, email, surf the web or talk while driving in the past 12 months. However, 72 percent of the same group were aware that when they are behind the wheel, texting and drinking are just equally dangerous. Even increased awareness of the problem is not enough to put a stop on it.

A previous survey by Nationwide Insurance found most Americans are in favor of a bill that forbids texting and driving, which somewhat contradicts Cellcontrol’s statistics. When asked whether the new laws prohibiting distracted driving altered their cell phone use on the road, about 72 percent of the participants gave a negative response. This implies although people are showing support to the bans, it will take more time for them to actually resist the temptation of the unsafe practice.

In addition, the study exhibits that teenagers remain the biggest concern of the issue. Around 65 percent of parents said if given the technology to block texting behind the wheel, they would apply it on their children’s phones unquestionably. Also, more than 60 percent considered the ability to control distracted driving as an important feature when buying a phone for their children.

Texting while driving is of great danger, as it is alleged to be 23 times more dangerous than driving while intoxicated. To reduce the danger to the public from distracted driving, currently 19 states, the District of Columbia and Guam ban text messaging for all drivers, while 6 states, the D.C. and the Virgin Islands prohibit all drivers from talking on handheld cell phones while operating a vehicle.

Be a law-abiding and responsible driver, use a handsfree, Bluetooth headset or car kit if you need to engage in a conversation on the road!

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