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How dangerous is texting and driving?

There are many reasons why motor vehicle accidents occur in Maryland. Some of the most common reasons include drunk driving, distracted driving and speeding. Out of these three, distracted driving is the fastest-growing cause of accidents. While texting and driving is just one type of distracted driving, it is the most dangerous form.

How does texting and driving cause accidents?

When you are texting and driving, your eyes are off the road for an average of five seconds. At 55 mph, that is enough time to travel the length of a football field. During that time, you could miss seeing a stop sign or pedestrian in a crosswalk. You could also lose control of your vehicle if you have to brake suddenly.

Imagine the impact of taking your eyes off the road for that short period of time. If you are driving on a highway or in an urban area, how many vehicles could pass by? What if another driver was also texting and swerved into your lane? It is easy to see how serious accidents can occur when you are not paying attention to the road.

Why do people text and drive?

Drivers may be in a hurry or feel pressure to respond quickly to a message. This is especially true if they are texting an important person, such as a boss, client or family member.

In addition, many people think that they can safely text and drive. They believe that the skill of multitasking behind the wheel allows them to quickly check their phones without causing any motor vehicle accidents. Unfortunately, this is not the case. There are many examples of drivers who texted and caused a car crash, sometimes to catastrophic results.

It’s important to acknowledge that it is dangerous to text and drive. Let others know that you will not respond immediately if they send a message while you are on the road. You can also put your phone in airplane mode so that you cannot receive or send any messages. If you must make a call, pull over to a safe place to do so.