Texting and driving is the new kid on the block in the arsenal of self destruction. You can give the people gadgets but it seems they do not come with the intelligence to use them responsibly. Even highly educated professionals are on the phone while they drive, or check their e-mails, or shave while running late to a meeting, etc. Teenagers, of course, are leading the pack with their addiction to their smart phones and the bad habit of texting just about everywhere.
One of the most dangerous things you can do while driving is not paying attention, i.e. loosing control while driving in busy traffic. Studies show that texting and driving decreases your reaction by about 30-40%, your ability to steer goes down by a whopping 90% and you are 20-times more likely to get into an accident. It is also evident from investigations that texting and driving is right next to DUI when it comes to reckless driving. In residential areas children can run out to the streets in a matter of seconds and if you text and drive right at that time, you are likely to kill someone.
Apparently, common sense does no prevail so what might be the solution to this problem? There are a few effective ways to deal with the issue both at the government as well as at the society levels:
Regulation. It seems people do stupid things just to force the government to pass some new laws. Texting and mobile phone usage should be banned from vehicles while driving and the laws must be enforced with an iron fist, just like DUI laws. Education. Regulations are not effective without education. Schools at all levels should run safety courses with strong content that shows how deadly this addiction really is. The daily annoying commercials on TV can be spiced up with educational clips showing how deadly texting and driving can be.
Technology. This is the easiest solution and the most effective one: install a gadget (or an app) in every car (or phone) that disables the mobile phone while the car is in motion. In my opinion the only way people won't text if the ability is taken away. The temptation and the addition is way too strong to beat common sense.
Defensive driving. If you do not text while on the road, it does not mean you are not in danger. It is like second hand smoking, you can get badly hurt by someone who is texting and driving and crossing over to your lane a second before you pass by. The best way to drive these days is to assume that every driver is either on the phone or texting and can do just about anything while in your vicinity.
Get a ride. Stand at the edge of the road and count the number of passengers in each passing car. You will be surprised to see that the majority has only the driver in each car. A business opportunity presents itself: transporter, i.e. offer a ride, from and to work, to busy professionals for a reasonable monthly fee. Then they can text all they want.
Public transportation. Easier said than done in some places, however, high traffic areas do have some level of public transportation. The trouble is we are addicted to cars so even if there is a bus, we want to use the gas guzzler 4 x 4 to take us to the mall or to work on this long 10-mile stretch.
Texting and driving is dumb and deadly, it is addictive and if not handled effectively, it can be more dangerous than driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Our roads have become a hazardous place due to the high level of negligence exhibited by distracted drivers. In a world like this your best friend is a personal injury lawyer who can handle your case should you be the victim of texting and driving.
iBiz Solutions provides online business support for small and medium sized firms. If you have been a victim of negligence, hiring a personal injury lawyer is a sensible business decision.