Drivers distracted by text messaging

Giovanni Gonzalez/Contributing Writer

Driving probably isn’t the safest activity in the world, but mix in the distraction of text messaging and you may have a recipe for disaster.
Text messaging is an addictive way to communicate anywhere — even behind the wheel. Unfortunately, many people text while driving because it is so easy and young adults can be some of the worst culprits.
Composing and reading text messages while driving can remove your attention from the road for about five seconds, which is more than enough time to miss a light change or stop sign.
Recently, many commercials and billboards have been promoting the campaign to stop texting and driving in response to the rising number of related accidents.
According to a study by the University of Utah, during the few seconds that your eyes are on your phone and not on the road and for a moment after, you are twice as likely to get into an accident than if you were legally intoxicated. “I just don’t think a text message could be worth taking my attention off driving,” said Jason Martinez, a business major.
Using hands-free equipment to talk and text on your cellphone can mitigate some of the factors associated with the dangers of texting while driving. Although driving might seem like a mundane, everyday activity, full attention is needed in an unexpected emergency situation.
According to www.nationwide.com, one in ten college-aged drivers are using their phone while driving at any one time and distracted driving is a factor in 25 percent of reported car accidents.
About 30 states in the U.S. have some form of law concerning texting and driving. The vast majority of the states have prohibited texting while operating a vehicle. There are currently no laws about texting and driving in Florida.
“I think Florida should ban texting and driving to avoid accidents and it works out for the driver who avoids all the hassles of a car accident, and obviously works out for the victim who could potentially get hurt or killed,” said senior Isaac Soria, a hospitality major.
Many people today completely drop whatever they are doing when they get a text. It is a smarter, more polite and safer move to avoid the risk and simply concentrate on the task at hand, whether it be driving, walking, school work or a real life conversation — the distraction can wait.

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