Texting while driving is very risky because text messaging takes the driver’s visual, manual, and cognitive attention away from the task of operating their vehicle.
Facts & Statistics About Texting & Driving
- As of December 2012, 171.3 billion text messages were sent in the US every month.
- In 2011, 3,331 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver, compared to 3,267 in 2010.
- In 2011, 387,000 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver, compared to 416,000 injured in 2010.
- 10% of injury crashes in 2011 were reported as distraction-related crashes.
- 11% of all drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were distracted at the time.
- For drivers 15-19 years old involved in fatal crashes, 21% of the distracted drivers were distracted by the use of cell phones.
- At any given moment in America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving.
- Engaging in visual-manual sub-tasks (such as reaching for a phone, dialing and texting) associated with the use of hand-held phones and other portable devices increased the risk of getting into a crash by three times.
- Sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent at 55 mph of driving length of an entire football field, blind.
- A quarter of teens respond to a text message once or more every time they drive. Â 20% of teens and 10% of parents admit that they have extended, multi-message text conversations while driving.
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