Text Messaging And Car Accidents

Text messaging has become one of the most popular ways to communicate electronically by using your cell phone. People of all ages use their cell phones to send and receive text messages, many while they are driving. Being involved in texting related accidents is unfortunately becoming very common. An increasing number of car accidents are being blamed on individuals who were distracted from their driving responsibilities by trying to read or send a text message while they were behind the wheel.

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Although it is only a law in a few states, because of the number of accidents associated with text messaging while driving, it is now illegal in certain states to send, receive, read or review a text message while you are driving.

What Happens When You Text

Sending a text message is a relatively simple procedure that involves using your cell phone like a keyboard to type a message to someone. There are typically a few basic steps to complete the process of sending or receiving a text message:

Sending a text message involves entering an addressee whether it is from your contacts list or a new one not listed on your phone
The content of the text message must be entered on another screen after the addressee has been entered.
Pressing enter starts the sending process.
Unless you have your phone set to auto save, you will be asked if you want to save a copy of the message you just sent.
Receiving a message requires you to view or download the text message to your phone.
After receiving and reading you can select a reply option to type a return or response text message.
The procedure for sending the response is the same.

Why Texting & Driving Is A Dangerous Combination

Sending or receiving a text message is a dangerous combination with driving. Whether you are on a street or highway, there is an automatic distraction from your driving:

It is not possible to look at the road and read a text message at the same time.
Highway traffic moves at high rates of speed, giving you less response time than the road or side street.
As a driver, you are responsible for driving your vehicle in a safe manner.
Text messaging while driving breaks your concentration on the road and creates a distraction that could be fatal.

How To Avoid Texting & Driving

The good news is that you can avoid causing a car accident by not texting while you drive. Practice a few basic safety procedures with your cell phone and it should be a snap:

Place your cell phone on silent while you are driving. This will eliminate the urge to pick it up and view new messages from hearing the sounder as they arrive.
Leave your cell phone in a pocket or your purse while you are driving. This subscribes to the out of sight out of mind ideology.