We have all heard it a hundred times. Mobile phones and driving don’t mix. You don’t hear it so often because it’s a fascinating topic or because people just love to talk about it. You hear it because of how important it is. Using a mobile phone while driving is a matter of life and death each and every time it occurs.
There is perhaps nothing more distracting from the road than a mobile phone. Most of us get calls or texts at random times, and often when we are not expecting them. For many of us, it’s hard to fight the urge to answer the phone or read and respond to a text while driving, but we must always remember the dangers associated with it. Think about your life, your family and friends, and all the other drivers on the road whose life you may change if you decide to pick up that phone.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds. That’s about the same as driving the entire length of a football field at 55 miles per hour with your eyes closed. At faster speeds, a lot of things can happen in 4.6 seconds, and you can never predict when you might have to utilize your defensive driving skills to avoid an accident. Not only that, you may be the one causing the accident.
Imagine you are holding your mobile phone to your ear while having a conversation behind the wheel. Not only are you distracted from driving, you now have just one hand on the wheel and your ability to make split seconds decisions and control your vehicle is severely hampered. What are you going to do if a child rides his or her bike into the road in your direct path? You will certainly need both hands on the wheel and a clear train of thought to ensure you avoid impact with that child.
