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Texting While Driving is More Dangerous Than Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

September 27, 2008 · Filed Under Internet News

A study in the UK claimed that texting while driving is actually more dangerous than drugs and alcohol. The study was conducted by the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) for the British Royal Automobile Club Foundation in its attempt to compare the dangers posed by texting while driving and driving under the influence or DUI.

In the Philippines, House Bill No. 4917 proposed a Total Cell Phone Ban While Driving in the Philippines, gaining the approval of the public after having experienced numerous accidents while the driver of the vehicle is texting or calling (see related story on Accidents and Injuries Related to Texting and Cell Phone Use).

Going back to the study in the UK, researchers found out that

The study showed that drivers who text and drive become more than one third slower than if they were coherent and not texting – this was compared to a person at the DUI limit or under the influence of illegal drugs. Text messaging lowered reaction time by 35 percent, while people high on marijuana slowed down 21 percent and those who were drunk slowed down by 12 percent.

On top of those findings, people reading or writing text messages drifted out of their lane more than people who were focused solely on driving. Texters also had a more difficult maintaining a safe distance from cars around them.

Around half of British drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 text while driving, the RAC Foundation said.

“When texting, drivers are distracted by taking their hand off the wheel to use their phone, by trying to read small text on the phone display and by thinking about how to write their message,” said Dr. Nick Reed, TRL senior human factors researcher. “This combination of factors resulted in the impairments to reaction time and vehicle control that place the driver at a greater risk than having consumed alcohol to the legal limit for driving.”

In response to this, the government increased the fines of violators to discourage them to use their cell phones (particularly in texting) while driving. With this move, the safety of the drivers and passengers are also expected to increase and less accidents are hoped to happen.

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Comments

4 Responses to “Texting While Driving is More Dangerous Than Driving Under the Influence (DUI)”

Joyoz on September 29th, 2008 4:07 am

Ay ganun? Dangerous than drugs..siguro nga. Oy Fren PR1 kna rin..

[Reply]
jessie on September 29th, 2008 2:05 pm

Joy,

Yes dear friend. Texting while driving has claimed more lives than driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol in the past five years.

jessies last blog post..Good Web Hosts For Your Websites, Blogs and Forums

[Reply]
Elaine on September 29th, 2008 2:52 pm

Kuya Jessie, congrats ony our blog’s new PR. Pink Hues is my current fave blog kasi may PR na din. hehe. I often warn my father not to text and drive at the same time. Kasi nakakawala ng focus talaga.
Elaines last blog post..The Divas

[Reply]
jessie reply on September 29th, 2008:
Elaine,

Yeah, congrats din. By the way, texting while driving should really be discouraged. It’s not healthy and safe while doing something on the cell phone while on the wheel. In driving, the basic rule is “EYES ON THE ROAD AT ALL TIMES.”

jessies last blog post..Globe Telecom’s iPhone 3G Prepaid Kits/Plans in the Philippines

[Reply]