What Are the Dangers of Texting While Driving

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National Teen Driver Safety Week is October 18–24. Use this week to connect with your teen driver about safe driving strategies. We've got an easy guide to help you start conversations about distracted driving and other behind-the-wheel hazards. A confident, equipped teen driver is a safe one.

Texting and driving is one of the most dangerous forms of distracted driving. In fact, the average text sent or read in a car takes a driver’s eyes off the road for 5 seconds.¹ This is more than enough time to get in a life-altering accident.

Understanding the dangers of texting while driving

You may know that texting and driving is bad, but may not understand just how bad it really is. In 2018, around 400,000 people were injured in accidents caused by distracted driving.² And drivers aged 16 to 24 are most likely to use a handheld device while driving. With so many less experienced drivers on the road using highly distracting devices, the potential for accidents—and thus injuries and fatalities—is incredibly high.

Other risks to texting on the road

Of course, lethal consequences or the chance of injuring someone are the biggest risk factors with texting and driving, but there are other risks as well. Here are some of the other risk factors to consider before you pick up your phone when you’re behind the wheel.

1. You are probably breaking the law: In most states, texting and driving is illegal, so you could get a ticket—and a fine.
2. Your insurance could go up: If you get a ticket for distracted driving, count on your insurance rates skyrocketing.
3. You could damage your car: Even if you don’t hurt someone if you cause an accident while texting, you could severely damage your car. A totaled vehicle won’t be cheap to repair or replace.

Texting and driving is risky at best and lethal at worst. To get even more information on how to stay safe while you are driving, please check out our Car Safety Guide. That resource provides plenty of suggestions to ensure you’re as safe as you can be on the road.

Related Articles

• Distracted Driving Laws by State
• Is it Safe to Use a Hands-free Device to Talk on a Cellphone While Driving?
• The Best Car Emergency Kits
• Best Car Dash Cams
• The Best GPS Vehicle Trackers

Sources

1. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “Distracted Driving,” Accessed on October 5, 2020.
2. Federal Communications Commission, “The Dangers of Distracted Driving,” May 26, 2020. Accessed on October 5, 2020.

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