Texting Drivers 20 Times More Likely to Crash

July 28, 2009

Text messaging and dialing on mobile phones put drivers at a high risk of being involved in road accidents, according to a study conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI).

The researchers, who installed cameras inside several cars, said that the average texting while driving takes 4.6 seconds for every 6 seconds interval, increasing the risk of accidents up to 20 times compared to drivers who are not texting.

With the result, the researchers urge authorities to ban cell phone use especially among teenagers who are perceived to be more reckless drivers than adults. Several studies also showed that younger people are more likely to use their mobile phones while driving compared to adults.

The VTTI said that driving involves visual response and drivers should give 100 percent of their attention to avoid crashes.

Meanwhile, the researchers concluded that talking on the phone does not put people at high risk to accidents compared to texting as drivers can still keep their eyes on the road. However, “cognitively intense” task such as listening to audio books or having an emotional conversation over a cell phone can reduce the focus and response time of drivers.

Citing the proliferation of headsets and hands-free phones, the researchers said that these devices are not 100 percent safe as drivers are still required to answer and dial the phone which involves taking their eyes off the road.

However, VTTI noted that hands-free phones equipped with voice-activated system could be less risky if such devices are “well designed”.