E-Paper
Driver who is texting six times more likely to crash
Text-messaging drivers are six times more likely to get into an accident than drivers who do not text, said a new study.
Text-messaging drivers are six times more likely to get into an accident than drivers who do not text, said a new study.
The researchers say the study, using simulator vehicles and identical traffic scenarios, also found the risk of texting behind the wheel appeared to be significantly higher than talking on a cell phone while driving, another dangerous distraction.
“When people talk on the phone while driving they are four times more likely to get into an accident. Here we find another ... increase in this risk,” said researcher Frank Drews of the University of Utah.
While other studies have shown the dangers of text messaging while driving, Drews said theirs is the first to examine accidents rather than “close calls.”
The study evaluated the driving performance of 20 pairs, aged 19 to 23, of self-described experienced text messengers using their own cell phones.
During the study, there were seven collisions, each caused by different drivers. Six of the crashes (86 per cent) happened while drivers were text messaging. Only one accident occurred while the participant was simply driving.
