Have you ever tried to stop someone from texting and driving? Maybe you were riding in the car with them when they pulled out their phone and started tapping away. Concerned for your own safety, you told them to put the phone down.
Maybe they listened, but odds are they gave you some excuse about how they could do it quickly and safely. That’s a big reason people keep texting behind the wheel. They think “it will just take a second.”
The problem is that it won’t. The average is five seconds — five times as long as that excuse. Depending on the speed of the car, you could cover 100 yards or more. That’s as long as a football field.
People often don’t realize how long they really spend looking away from the road. If they knew how far they were going, all while basically blind to the traffic around them, would they still do it? Or have they bought so far into their own myth that they do think it’s safe?
You don’t want to ride with someone who puts you in danger like this. They could be a friend or even a family member, but if they won’t listen to your concerns and they keep taking these risks, you’re far better off to drive yourself. Make it very clear to them why you’re doing it and maybe they’ll change.
Unfortunately, even while driving by yourself, you could get hit by another distracted driver. Texting drivers are around you more than you realize. Make sure you understand what legal options you have to seek compensation for your injuries.
Helpful information regarding the dangers of summer driving can also been found here.
