Here are some important reminders for all of us:
- Cell phones were involved in 23% of auto accidents in 2011 – that’s 1.3 million crashes;
- Texting takes your attention from the road for a minimum of 5 seconds – at 55 mph that equals driving the length of a football field without looking at the road;
- Texting a message makes the likelihood of a car wreck 23 times greater;
- Dialing a cell phone makes the likelihood of a car wreck 2.8 times greater;
- Talking or listening on a cell phone makes the likelihood of a car wreck 1.3 times greater;
- Reaching for your cell phone makes the likelihood of a car wreck 1.4 times greater;
- 13% of drivers between the ages of 18 and 20 who were involved in car crashes admit they were texting or talking on their cell phones at the time of their wreck;
- 82% of Americans between the ages of 16 and 17 own cell phones – 52% admit they have talked on their cell phone while driving, while 34% admit to texting while driving;
- 77% of young adults believe they can safely text while driving;
- 55% of young adults believe it’s easy to text while they drive; and,
- Teens who text while driving spend approximately 10% of their driving time outside of their lane.
Source: http://www.textinganddrivingsafety.com/texting-and-driving-stats/
Here’s a Volkswagen cinema stunt that drives home the point:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tlxjng8h3Tc
