Driving while texting or talking on the phone is considered more dangerous than driving intoxicated at .08 BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) – thus the term “InTEXTicated” driving. InTEXTicated drivers tend to have a slower response time than other impaired drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, driver inattention is the leading factor in most crashes and near misses. Nearly 80% of crashes and 65% of close calls involve a driver’s lack of attention within three seconds before the event.

Consider these examples: A Denver teenager who is texting and driving weaves out of his lane and kills a bicyclist. A young man is texting with his fiancée while she is driving – it is three hours later after her messages stop that he learns that she drove into the back of a truck and was killed. The list goes on and there are many more equally disturbing incidents associated with texting and driving.

Why should we care? InTEXTicated driving is impaired driving, and puts all drivers at risk. Estimates are that 45% of traffic fatalities involve a driver who was either distracted or impaired in some way. Texting while driving provides 3 main distractions: visual, manual, and cognitive.

What can we do? First commit yourself to not texting or talking on the cell phone while driving. Be a careful and safe driver who maintains a keen focus on defensive driving techniques so you are aware of what other drivers are doing – always be prepared for the unexpected and unsafe drivers. Be a good example to younger drivers.

“InTEXTicated and impaired driving costs us all”