Pew survey results send the message: adults part of the distracted driving epidemic

It's no surprise that America's adults are busy communicators.

We're tethered to our jobs even when we're not at work. We're making sure our kids and grandkids are where they're supposed to be. We're trying to manage our households, keep up with our friends, arrange our schedules.

Texting and talking on a cell phone make all of this possible. But when driving, distracting behaviors also kill nearly 6,000 people a year.

 

So the recent Pew Research Center report showing that adults are "just as likely as teens to have texted while driving and are substantially more likely to have talked on the phone while driving" ought to open a few eyes.

"Adults may be the ones sounding the alarm on the dangers of distracted driving," says Mary Madden, co-author of the report, "but they don't always set the best example themselves,"

Pew's Internet & American Life Project survey indicates that 58% of adults send or read text messages, and close to half (47%) of those people say they do so while they drive. That means that 28% of US adults admit to texting behind the wheel.

Yet, 26% of US drivers aged 16 or 17 report texting while driving. Sure, that's only an overall difference of 2%, but we're supposed to know better.

The difference is even wider for talking on a cell phone behind the wheel. Of adults who own cell phones in America, a full three out of every four (75%) say they have used them while driving. For teens who own cell phones, that figure is 52%. Overall, that means:

"Fully 61% of adults say they have talked on their cell phones while they were behind the wheel. That is considerably greater than the number of 16- and 17-year-olds (43%) who have talked on their cells while driving."

 

Now, in my campaign to end distracted driving, I have often worried publicly that the visual, manual, and cognitive distractions of texting or talking on a cell phone while driving are more dangerous for inexperienced drivers. And the Pew report doesn't change that.

But the idea that adults are engaging in this risky behavior in greater numbers than teens is downright disturbing.

We know from University of Utah research that drivers talking on a cell phone take 20% longer to hit the brakes when needed. We know that distraction increases the likelihood of a driver deviating from his or her lane. We know that it can lead to sudden changes in speed.

And we know that it can cause what we call "cognitive blindness," an inability to see what is right in front of the driver--a red light, a stop sign, or a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

So I want to thank the Pew Research Center's Internet & American Life Project for opening our eyes to the pervasiveness of this deadly epidemic among America's 16 and 17 year olds and among our adults.

We all need to get the message: Whether you're 17, 27, or 57, you can't text or talk on a cell phone and drive safely. You just cannot.

Comments

[Matt]

One flaw with this study is that it only focuses on if anyone "has ever" done one of these things. I think many of us used to engage in some of these practices, but don't anymore.

[SamD]

Distracted driving can be prevented in 3 ways: strict legislation, effective education and innovative technology.
ZoomSafer is a software for mobile devices that suppresses texts and emails while still allowing hands-free phone calls. It includes a few different triggers that activate the software and lock down the phone including GPS, Bluetooth and Telematics devices.
It's currently on BlackBerry devices but should be coming to Android soon. www.ZoomSafer.com

[Michael E. Bailey]

This survey result reminds me of the way things were in California before our driving and cell phone ban went into effect in 2009. You can still use a hands free phone and drive under the California law. But before 2009, everyone it seems like was driving with one hand and talking on the phone with the other and some not paying attention to what they were doing behind the wheel. While others didn't have a hand on the wheel. They were balancing the wheel on their knees and using both hands to text message. The new law has greatly reduced this although sometimes you can still see someone driving a car with one hand and using a cell phone in the other, that is way down from where it had been. And it used to be that our fixed route bus drivers and paratransit bus drivers could be seen driving the bus and talking on the phone. That has all stopped because of the state law and because of closed circuit cameras in each bus and paratransit bus. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.

[Mark Bernstein]

Whether you are sending or reading text messages, talking on your cell phone, looking at the map of your GPS unit or staring at your car radio dial; driving while distracted is as dangerous as playing with a loaded gun. Even the most experienced driver cannot always avoid the negligent actions of other especially while distracted. Adults have to set the standard by not using devices while they are driving. Car accidents can occur in a blink of an eye. The most important thing you can do as a driver is to keep your eyes on the road at all times. Staying in contact with your loved ones is very important, however ,staying safe for them is even more important. If you or a loved one was seriously injured in a Michigan auto accident, talk with an experienced Michigan car accident lawyer today.

[cell phone trick]

Phones brought us convenience, but also bring us trouble! I think the problem is not mobile, while using the phone.

[Rob]

The problem is the user, not the implement. There needs to be a stronger system for educating people on the consequences of their actions. There have been instances where emergency services have restructed accidents that have been caused by people diving whilst using a mobile phone and have shown people the devastation caused. Many many people were left in tears and have no resolved not to use a phone whilst driving again. Similar exercises have been done for excessive speeding with similar results.

[Social Security Lawyer & Attorney]

There is no excuse for those who have caused an accident by texting behind the wheel. It is so dangerous and there is no text that is worth risking your life and the lives of the drivers around you.

[Jason Carson]

So few realize how quick they can be involved in a major car accident due to careless texting and playing with their cell phones. While I understand the purpose of a cell phone, play it safe and pull over if you must text. Many innocent lives are lost each year because of this.

[Side Effects of Zoloft]

They should not drive while playing a PSP's or any device that can destruct their driving. Everything should be given full attention on driving.