The dangers of texting while driving have been more and more in the public eye as officials attempt to raise awareness of the number of accidents caused by drivers distracted by texting on cell phones. Statistics show that:

• Truck drivers who text are 23 percent more likely to experience a crash or near-crash situation.
• Drivers who text leave their lanes 10 percent more of the time than they do when not driving.
• It takes a driver twice as long to react to an incident and come to a stop while texting than if not texting.

Despite these findings, 26 percent of cell phone drivers admit to texting while driving. Although texting as an experienced driver is one matter, inexperienced drivers who text put themselves and others on the road at increased risk for an accident. The inexperience of teenagers behind the wheel already makes them a dangerous addition to the road, and a distraction such as a cell phone just makes the situation even more dangerous. Teenagers make up the largest group of drivers who regularly text while driving, with one third of all teenagers ages 16-17 who have a cell phone admitting to texting while driving.

Different groups are taking steps to keep everyone on the road safe by eliminating texting while driving. California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Washington, D.C., have each passed laws that make it illegal to text or talk on a cell phone while driving, and the federal government is currently drafting a bill that would provide federal money to states if they pass similar laws. In January 2009, the National Safety Council announced that it advocates state and federal laws banning the use of cell phones while driving. In September 2009, it became illegal for any federal worker to text while driving. Some school zones and pedestrian areas have begun to post signs stating the illegality of using a cell phone while driving in the area.

If you must use your cell phone while driving, remember to pull over in a safe area and hold your conversation without becoming a danger to others on the road. If you must carry on a text message conversation over a long period of time, have a passenger do the texting for you. Or, pull over and text the other person to let them know you are driving and cannot safely respond.

To learn more about safe driving, visit the website of Stevens Point car accident attorneys of Habush Habush & Rottier, S.C.