Don’t text and drive

In a study conducted by Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, distracted drivers were shown to be a cause in 80% of collisions. Texting, one of the major sources of distraction, would make drivers 23 times more likely to be in a collision.

Smart phones are very popular. Small, practical and multifunctional, they are now a part of everyday life. Unfortunately, in spite of being banned under Quebec law since April 1st, 2008, many people still use their phones while driving and not just for talking, but also for reading and sending text messages.

A survey by the SAAQ (Société d’assurance automobile du Québec) reported that 99% of respondents feel that reading and texting while driving is dangerous. And they’re right. When reading or sending a text message, the driver’s eyes are away from the road at least 4.6 to 6 seconds. Considering that a car driving at a speed of 100 km/h travels an average of 27 meters per second, the math is simple: it amounts to travelling 160 meters without ever seeing the road, in other words, driving with your eyes closed!

We can therefore say that someone sending or reading text messages while driving is just as dangerous as someone driving impaired. And this worrisome behaviour can cause an accident with disastrous consequences.

If you must drive, turn off your phone before you get behind the wheel. You will be less tempted to take a look and will be able to focus your full attention on driving. Remember that texting and driving is a dangerous distraction: one text message is one too many if it can ruin your life or someone else’s.