There is no doubt that the improvement of technology in today’s society has greatly benefited law enforcement and our society as a whole. However, improvements in technology have led to a serious threat on our roadways – distracted driving.
There are three main types of distraction: visual (taking your eyes off the road), manual (taking your hands off the wheel) and cognitive (taking your mind off what you are doing). While all distractions can endanger drivers’ and fellow motorists’ safety, texting while driving is the most alarming because it involves all three types of distraction. Dialing numbers on cell phones or typing text messages requires attention that should be paid to the task of driving.
Texting while driving has been proven dangerous beyond dispute. Taking one’s eyes off the road for the average 5-6 second text, is enough to travel the length of a football field at highway speed.
Statistics also show that texting while driving is just as dangerous as operating a motor vehicle after four alcoholic beverages.
The National Safety Council reports that cell phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year. Nearly 330,000 injuries occur each year from crashes caused by texting while driving. One out of every four car accidents in the United States is caused by texting and driving.
Even more disturbing is that The National Safety Council currently estimates that last year, “38,300 people were killed on U.S. roads, and 4.4 million were seriously injured, meaning 2015 likely was the deadliest driving year since 2008.” These statistics are staggering and this death-defying trend must come to an end.
While the dangers of distracted driving are discussed regularly, the data shows the behavior continues, why?
It is clear that the dangers of texting while driving are serious. A life is more precious than taking a call or responding to a text message. It is imperative that we put the safety of ourselves and the safety of others above our own need to access technology.
The State of Florida recognizes the dangers of texting and driving and has passed legislation to discourage that activity.
While using a mobile device for navigation or to report an emergency or criminal or suspicious activity to law enforcement authorities is not illegal. The “Florida Ban on Texting While Driving Law” does make it illegal under other circumstances to operate a motor vehicle while manually typing or entering multiple letters, numbers, symbols, or other characters into a wireless communications device or while sending or reading data on such a device for the purpose of nonvoice interpersonal communication, including, but not limited to, communication methods known as texting, e-mailing, and instant messaging.
You may have seen our message board on the streets displaying “Arrive Alive Don’t Text and Drive.” Please take our message seriously.
The men and women of the Lady Lake Police Department are committed to keeping you and your family safe. If you find yourself reaching for your cell phone while driving, take a second to think about the dangers you are putting yourself, your family, and others in before you pick up the phone. Ask yourself, is it really worth it?
Chris McKinstry is chief of the Lady Lake Police Department.
