“TWD” Texting While Driving: The next cause of Fatal Crashes
Texting while driving could soon be against the law in Ohio. Sixteen states have already banned it after fatal crashes.
Teen Driver #1 says, "I'm fessing up. I text, email, Facebook while driving. I am trying to do it more so when I'm at a stop light. I have been doing this ever since texting has become the 'in' thing and have never been in an accident."
Teen Driver # 2 says, "I almost got sideswiped today by a guy who was texting. It is very frustrating as I do not talk or text while driving."
So just how bad is it? Teen Driver #1, 15, texts hundreds of times a day. Since she's a texting pro and taking driving lessons, we asked her to help us with our TWD test.
Toledo driving school instructor, has set up a course in a safe area and they get going. Teen driver #1 full attention is on driving until she gets a text. She has a hard time holding onto the wheel and her eyes are off the road. She doesn't stop. She says, "It was really hard, like I could not text while driving. I would kill some people."
Teen Driver # 2 says, "She thought she was doing fine, but in a fraction of a second, your atmosphere can change, and it's at that point you're hitting the car in front of you or you miss hitting a pedestrian." The Driving Instructor supports passing a law prohibiting anyone from texting while driving. That message can be hard to drive home these days. The Instructor said "They can't remember a time when there wasn't a cell phone, but I do. I try to instill in them that it's not just about them. That moment that they're taking to do that can jeopardize themselves, people in the streets, what if their parents have to come in and identify them in the worst place possible."
Nationwide Insurance recently conducted a study of more than 1500 drivers, 18 percent admitted to TWD. That number skyrockets to 39 percent for drivers under 30. But it's not only young drivers.
Authorities say it's hard to tell how many accidents are caused by texting because drivers rarely admit it. Sgt. Eric Gonzalez of the Ohio Highway Patrol says, "Some people feel, with all due respect, stupid. It makes them feel inexperienced, maybe embarrassed."
Watch AT&T's new 10-minute documentary titled "The Last Text," featuring stories of real individuals whose lives have been adversely affected by texting behind the wheel.
AT&T created this documentary as part of its "It Can Wait" campaign because we want consumers be safe while using our technology. We are grateful and humbled by the bravery of the people who agreed to be on camera for the documentary. We would have no story to tell without them.
Our teen says texting will have to wait until she's out of the car. "Everyone's at risk of getting in a car accident, especially when you have your phone in your hand."
In a real scenario with other cars and passengers, instructors say texting while driving could be deadly and should be against the law. But they fear making it illegal may not be enough.
The driving school's instructor says, "No, I don't think it's going to completely stop this. Unfortunately we're a society that learns from the punishment, not the act. So I think things are going to happen and when they see a friend in an accident or they themselves are in an accident, then that lesson will be learned."
There are several bills working through the Ohio legislature. Some prohibiting teens from TWD, some geared toward all drivers. There's also a federal proposal called the Alert Act. Basically, states would have to pass texting bans or risk losing 25 percent of their yearly highway funding.
WTVG-TV Toledo, OH August, 2009
Mother Valetta Bradford of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, discusses the crash that paralyzed her young son
On October 10, 2010, 5-year-old Xzavier was crossing the street near his home in Milwaukee when he was struck by a young woman who was texting while driving. Xzavier, who had dreams of becoming a football player when he grew up, was left paralyzed from the diaphragm down.
“The crash that paralyzed young Xzavier is a tragic reminder of the potential consequences of distracted driving,” said Secretary LaHood. “I hope that everyone who hears his story will remember to keep their eyes on the road, their hands on the wheel, and their focus on driving.”
The video released today was produced by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and submitted for inclusion in the “Faces of Distracted Driving” series by Xzavier’s mother, Valetta Bradford.
"I hope anyone who thinks it is okay to text and drive watches our story," said Valetta Bradford. "You can’t take your eyes off the road at any time."
“Faces of Distracted Driving” is a video series that raises awareness about the potentially tragic consequences of texting and cell phone use while driving by sharing the stories of family members who have lost loved ones in distracted driving crashes. In 2009, nearly 5,500 people died and half a million were injured in accidents involving a distracted driver. The series is part of Secretary LaHood’s effort to raise greater awareness about the dangers of distracted driving.
WATCH: “Faces of Distracted Driving” – www.distraction.gov/faces
The U.S. Department of Transportation encourages anyone who would like to share their distracted driving experiences to email: faces@distraction.gov.
To learn more about USDOT’s efforts to stop distracted driving, please visit www.distraction.gov.
