Dangers of Texting and Driving Essay
Driving and texting are potentially fatal! Every day, people die or suffer injuries in road traffic accidents as a result of someone texting and driving at the same time. It's time to put a stop to this dangerous behavior.
The dangers of texting and driving are undeniably real. Every day, innocent people die or suffer injuries in road traffic accidents resulting from someone being distracted by glancing at their phone. Texting and driving is a serious problem that needs to be solved.
Why is Texting While Driving Dangerous?
There are a few reasons why texting and driving are so dangerous. First, when you're distracted by your phone, you're not paying attention to the road. You're not watching for other cars or pedestrians, and you're unable to react quickly if something unexpected happens.
Second, text messaging requires you to take your hands off the wheel. Doing so means that you're not in control of the car, and if something happens, you won't be able to stop or steer quickly enough to avoid an accident.
Third, texting when driving is a form of distracted driving, which is any activity that takes your attention away from the road. Distracted driving is dangerous, but texting while behind the steering wheel is an especially treacherous form of it. Why? Because when you text, all three types of distraction come into play: visual (your focus on the road is compromised), manual (your control of the vehicle is compromised; both hands are not on the wheel), and cognitive (your attention is divided, not 100% on driving).
All three of these distractions increase your risk of being in a car accident. In fact, texting when driving is so dangerous that it's been called the "new drunk driving." Just like drunk driving, texting and driving can have devastating consequences.
So, do not be tempted to text and drive; remember, the risk isn't worth it. Keep your phone out of sight and your hands on the wheel. It could save your life.
How to Break the Habit of Texting and Driving?
If you're struggling to break the habit of texting and driving, try doing the following things to help yourself.
First, commit yourself to never texting while you are driving again. Try keeping your phone out of sight in the trunk or backseat to avoid using it while driving.
Second, tell your friends and family about your commitment so they can hold you accountable.
Finally, if you get in the car and find yourself reaching for your phone, take a deep breath and remind yourself of the potential consequences of texting when driving. The risk isn't worth it.
Texting while you drive is dangerous and can have devastating consequences.
How many People are Killed as a result of Texting When Driving?
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 3,166 people died in road traffic accidents caused by distracted driving in 2021. Of those, 297 (9%) died in crashes involving a driver reported to be using a cell phone when the crash occurred.
While this is a small percentage of all distracted driving fatalities, it's still a significant number of preventable deaths. And when you consider that many crashes go unreported or that cell phone use is often under-reported, the actual number of texting-related fatalities is likely even higher.
An estimated 400,000 people also suffered injuries in cell phone-related road traffic accidents caused by distracted driving in 2021.
Conclusion
The dangers of texting and driving are clear. If you must use your phone while behind the wheel, pull over and stop first. And if you're a passenger in a vehicle driven by someone texting, speak up and ask them to stop. It could save a life.