It Is No Surprise That Texting While Driving Can Lead To Reckless Driving, But Is Texting More Dangerous Than Driving Drunk? According To Car And Driver, It Is.
It is no surprise that texting while driving can lead to reckless driving, but is texting more dangerous than driving drunk? According to Car and Driver, it is.
In June 2009, the American automotive magazine conducted the first real world test. Editors hooked up a Honda Pilot with a red light windshield, tested normal reaction times to a stop light between two of its employees at a speed of 70 mph, again while reading a text and braking, and then while slightly intoxicated (at a .08% blood-alcohol level). Car and Driver performed each test five times, yet the conclusions were the same. Reaction time was much worse for both drivers when they were texting while driving than when they were under the influence of alcohol.
The Results:
- Unimpaired: .54 seconds to brake
- Legally drunk: add 4 feet
- Reading e-mail: add 36 feet
- Sending a text: add 70 feet
However, this study only tested reaction times on a straight roadway without any traffic and does not take into account traffic, road signals, or pedestrians.
In reality, none of this should be too surprising. Many of us have done and still do it, even though texting while driving is banned in the state of California and 13 other states. Think about the amount of time it takes to locate your cell phone, pull up your text messages, read, ponder, and then respond. During all that time, your focus is away from the road.
Too many people have become too accustomed to checking e-mail or sending a text while behind the wheel, even though it's as dangerous as drinking and driving. Unfortunately, it may take more accidents and more deaths to change that attitude, and the death toll among drivers, especially teens, will continue to grow.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a texting while driving (TWD) accident, contact a California auto accident attorney. The San Diego personal injury lawyers at the Jurewitz Law Group can help you and your family get the compensation you need and deserve. Call our San Diego lawyers at 888-233-5020.
Have you been injured in an accident in San Diego or anywhere in California and don't know what to do next? We are here to help and provide you with the important and relevant information you need to make an informed decision about:
- How to handle your personal injury claim
- Who is the right injury accident attorney to help you with your case, and
- Whether you even need to hire a lawyer to help you with your insurance claim
Call the Jurewitz Law Group at 888-233-5020 to order one of our free California personal injury books to get the information you need or to set up a free consultation with one of our experienced San Diego personal injury attorneys.
