Travel Right at Night ….
Happy Friday everyone, the weekend is here again … This week we are focusing on traveling right at night. I want to take a moment to ask what do you do when your smartphone chimes as you’re driving in the car? Do you ignore it or pick it up immediately even while you are cruising on the highway?
Well, did you know that texting while driving makes you 23 times more likely to have an accident?? Yes, that’s right 23 times! Your reaction time while driving and using a cell phone even with a hands-free device is the same reaction time as a person with a blood alcohol level at the legal limit of .08 percent! That’s astonishing right?
So this weekend as you’re hitting the streets and texting your friends that you are on your way please make sure to text safely! Do it while you aren’t driving. In 2009 almost 500,000 people were injured as a result of distracted driving. I know you are going to tell me that you only text while you are stopped at a light right? Sending or receiving a text takes a your eyes off the road for almost 5 seconds. This is the amount of time needed to travel the entire length of a football field at 55mph.
Talking on the phone even using a hands-free device uses about 40% of your brain power that should be focused on the road. Add in singing along to your favorite GaGa or Beyonce song and you are totally distracted. Drivers between the ages of 16-20 are the most likely to be involved in a fatal crash where distraction is reported … wait though .. it’s not just teens who are multi-tasking while driving .. 30-39-year-olds have the highest percentage of cell phone use in fatal crashes!
Texting is more distracting than talking on the phone while you are driving because texting requires you to be involved with your hands, head, and eyes. So please don’t text and drive. Most states have distraction laws in place. Make sure you know the laws in your state. Injuring someone while texting and driving could cost you jail time and a fine.
Have a safe and fabulous weekend
Dr. V