Texting while driving is a danger to everyone. It poses serious risks to those sending texts, but more importantly to the other drivers on the road who are put in danger by those who are texting while driving. In a study done by the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, and sponsored by AT&T, 98 percent of respondents were aware of the dangers of texting while driving. However, three quarters of respondents admitted to texting while driving. The participants were composed of cell phone users ages 16 to 65 who drive everyday and text at least once a day. The margin of sampling error was plus or minus 3.1 percentage points.
Two thirds of respondents admitted to reading text messages while stopped at a stop sign or red light. Another twenty five percent admitted that they have sent messages while driving. Also, more than a quarter of those in the survey believed that they were easily capable of multi-tasking by texting while driving.
The survey was released by AT&T as part of an anti texting while driving campaign. The release of the study came along with expanded availability of an app for AT&T customers that disables text messages while the user is traveling at speeds greater than 15 miles per hour. Passengers are able to turn the app off while traveling. The app is available to AT&T customers as well as to outside providers with some features only being available to AT&T customers.
The results of the survey show that people’s attitudes do not always reflect their behavior. Cell phone users are aware that texting while driving poses a risk to them and their fellow drivers, and yet, they choose to do it anyway. Some of the results indicated that people felt anxious if they did not look at or respond to text messages. Some felt a sense of satisfaction when responding to a text. A small portion, six percent, acknowledged they were addicted to texting.
Whatever the reasons people use to justify texting while driving, the dangers remain the same. No text message is important enough to endanger fellow drivers. Drivers should always wait until reaching their destination before reading and responding to text messages. If on a long drive, stopping periodically to check text messages can be an alternative to texting while driving. New features on smart phones such as voice text may help curb the problem but can still pose dangers. Always remember to never text while operating a vehicle.
Lambert Zainey represents car accident victims. If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident, contact one of our experienced New Orleans auto accident lawyers today for a case evaluation.