Teens Who Text While Driving at Increased Risk
Recent Study Shows Texting Drivers 23 Times More Likely to Crash
Jul 31, 2009
Many teens enjoy the simplicity of sending a message to their friends simply by punching a few keys on their phone. Most teens can do it by touch, barely even looking down as they quickly type on their keypad. This combination of ease and dexterity, however, may be creating a false sense of security among teens. They may feel that they can easily text while doing other activities, even choosing to multi-task while behind the wheel of a car.
Texting While Driving Research
Recently released data from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute showed that texting while driving significantly upped the risk of a crash. In fact, these drivers were 23 times as likely to be involved in an accident. (In study, "Texting Lifts Crash Risk" by Large Margin, Matt Richtel, New York TImes, July 27, 2009). The study, carried out with the help of a $300,000 grant from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, used video cameras to examine drivers behavior immediately preceding a crash or a near-miss. Around 3 million miles of driving over a four year period were analyzed.
This particular study looked specifically at commercial truckers. However, its important to realize that a significantly increased risk is likely applicable to any group who engages in texting behavior while driving. A 2007 survey of 16 and 17 year old drivers found that 61% of teens admitted to engaging in risky driving behaviors; 46% of these teens said they text while behind the wheel. ("Teen Risky Driving Habits Include Text Messaging Behind the Wheel", AAA, 2007). Car accidents are already one of the leading causes of teen death; additional distractions from texting can only increase the risk.
Texting While Driving Risks
Texting while behind the wheel may be more dangerous for teens for the following reasons:
- Teens have logged less time behind the wheel than other drivers. This means that they have less experience evaluating risks and responding to hazards than those who have been driving for many years.
- Today’s teens have practically grown up texting. Since this behavior seems like second nature to them, they may misjudge how much of a distraction it really is.
- Texting is a primary form of communication among teens. This means that a teen who texts is likely to spend much more time doing so than an adult who texts.
- Teens may be more impulsive; this means they may be less likely to delay responding to a text they receive, even when behind the wheel.
- Teens may be influenced by peer pressure which may lead them to make riskier choices. Having teen passengers in the car with them may subtly encourage them to text while driving.
- A feeling of invincibility is a hallmark of teen development. Without having had any bad experiences related to texting while driving, teens may feel that “it could never happen to them.”
Preventing Texting While Driving
Teens need to recognize the risk, and know that it applies to them, like anyone else. Talk to them about safe driving and the increased risk texting poses. Share news stories of accidents that occur while drivers are texting, and engage kids in conversations about them. Ask about their friend’s behavior behind the wheel, too. Are they texting while driving, or doing anything else that is distracting them? Adults should make sure they are setting a good example, too. Kids won’t believe that texting while driving is a real problem if they see adults engaged in other activities behind the wheel.
Though texting can be fun, teens need to know that it has no place behind the wheel of a car. Adults who care about them can help them to realize this behavior puts them at unnecessary risk.
Cell Phone Texting
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