The Numbers
Teens are by far the No. 1 offenders, but all age groups engage in texting while driving. According to Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, texting while driving makes drivers 23 times more likely to get into an accident. It is further estimated that texting while driving claims 3,000 lives and causes more than 300,000 injuries per year, numbers which have skyrocketed in recent years due to advances in mobile technology.
Even though texting and driving has now become illegal in 43 states, numbers have not declined. Safety officials rank texting among the most distracting activities to do while driving, as it affects you visually, mentally and physically. In the time that you look down to read a text for 5 seconds on the highway, your vehicle will have traveled a football field in length. Becoming aware of these dangers is the first step.
Breaking the Habit
Texting is addictive in the same way as slot machines; the buzz of an incoming text releases dopamine in your brain, generating excitement. Once the habit of texting while driving has been formed, it’s not easy to break it. The solution is to train yourself to stop. Studies have shown that doing something every day for 21 days in a row will establish something as a habit, as with exercise routines or quitting smoking. Texting and driving is the same way: force yourself to ignore the texts and soon you won’t even notice.
Don’t put yourself and your loved ones at risk; take the pledge and stop texting and driving today.
How to use this information
We sincerely hope that these statistics convince you to not drive while you text. If something does go wrong and your vehicle is in need of repair, give Accurate Auto Body Repair shop a call at 303-344-2122 or contact us through our website for more information and we will be happy to help.
What has helped you stop texting and driving?
