Texting and driving continue to be an issue because many drivers think they can do it safely. They think they can read a text fast enough to look back up at the road in time to avoid an accident. They know that it’s safer to never look away from the road, but they think they can be “safe enough.”
But is that true? The crash statistics and news stories imply that it’s not. But let’s take a look at why it’s not.
First of all, studies have noted that you really read a text for an average of 4.6 seconds. While some drivers may be able to look down for just a second or two — which is still unsafe, for the record — many others read their texts for over the five-second mark.
Say you are driving your car at an average speed of 55 miles per hour. You’re going to drive roughly 100 yards in the time it takes you to read that text. It’s the length of a football field.
Think of it this way: If someone told you to close your eyes for five seconds while driving, you wouldn’t do it. You’d be terrified. The thought of driving more than 100 yards blindly is unsettling.
However, that’s exactly what people do when they text and drive. They may think they’re safe, but they cause accidents and put others in the hospital every day. This outlook that they can do it “fast enough” needs to change.
Now, you may not be a risk. Maybe you never text and drive. Unfortunately, all of those drivers you share the road with may not also share your dedication to safety. If you get injured, it may be time to talk to someone about seeking financial compensation.
