No Text Is Worth The Risk | Facts About Distracted Driving
The reality of distracted driving is that it's simply not worth it. No text, tweet, Instagram upload, etc. is ever worth the potential outcome of the danger you're putting yourself and others in when you're distracted. And just in case anyone needs a reminder of exactly why this is true, there are plenty of facts to back up the cause.
For one, someone driving while he or she is distracted is twenty-three times more likely to get into an accident compared to someone who's focused on the road. That may seem like a drastic number, but it makes a lot of sense when you also consider that the average text takes around 4.6 seconds to send. If you're taking that long to send a text while behind the wheel and driving an average of 55 mph, you'll have driven blind for the length of a football field (100 yards). And if you believe that there couldn't possibly be that many people doing this, think again: 57 percent of drivers between the ages of 21 and 24 admitted that they send texts and emails when they're behind the wheel; and 25 percent of teenagers have admitted the same.
These statistics are part of the reason why Verizon Wireless has been a longtime advocate of responsible driving. In the year 2000, they became the first wireless carrier to support state legislation banning the use of cellphones while driving. They have also worked with athletes and celebrities, such as Regina Hall, to deliver their message of responsible driving.
You can learn more about Verizon's efforts here. And just remember: no text is worth the risk.
