Driving comes second nature to consumers who’ve performed the task daily for years on end. Thus, these same individuals are often lured into believing that their skills and experience allow them to safely multi-task while behind the wheel. That mistaken assumption may cost other drivers and innocent pedestrians their lives.
Texting While Driving is As Dangerous As Drunk Driving
A 2008 study performed by the Transport Research Laboratory in the United Kingdom found that drivers sending text messages while on the road presented a greater danger to other consumers than individuals driving under the influence of alcohol. The following points were cited by the study:
- A drunk driver’s reaction time is slowed by an average of 21%.
- A texting driver’s reaction time is slowed by an average of 35%.
- The steering control of a texting driver decreases by 91%.
- The average text message takes 41 seconds longer to compose while driving.
According to Dr. Nick Reed, the lead researcher on the study, one of the greatest dangers drivers face is their ignorance of the dangers themselves. Rather than simply being physically distracted by the act of sending or receiving a text, the driver is also mentally distracted because he is focused, not on the road, but on the message he’s just read or is about to send.
Laws Against Texting While Driving
Due to the significant amount of impairment drivers face while texting, even if that impairment is momentary, state lawmakers are taking action. As of 2010, 25 states have laws against texting and driving. These laws often focus on the young. According to independent research by Nationwide Insurance, drivers age 18 to 27 text while driving 23% more frequently than drivers age 28 to 44 and 35% more frequently than drivers age 45 to 60. Thus, 17 states ban the use of cell phones and hand-held communication devices behind the wheel for drivers under the age of 18 unless an individual is calling emergency services.
Driving While Texting Fines
Driving while texting has become so prevalent that some states refer to the practice as “DWT” to keep pace with terms such as “DUI” and “DWI.” Fines for texting on the road vary, depending on the state. Fines by state are as follows:
- Arkansas - up to $100
- California - $20 for first offense. $50 for subsequent offenses
- Colorado - $50 for first offense. $100 for subsequent offenses
- Connecticut - $100 for first offense. $150 for second offense. $200 for subsequent offenses
- District of Columbia - $100
- Illinois - up to $1000. Third offense results in suspended license.
- Iowa - $30. Increased to $500 if texting results in an accident.
- Kentucky - $25 for first offense. $50 for subsequent offenses
- Louisiana - Up to $100 for first offense and up to $250 for subsequent offenses.
- Maryland - Up to $500
- Michigan - $100 for first offense. $200 for subsequent offenses
- Minnesota - Up to $300
- Nebraska - $200 for first offense $300 for second offense. $500 for subsequent offenses
- New Hampshire - Up to $100
- New Jersey - $100
- New York - $150
- North Carolina - $100
- Oregon - $720
- Rhode Island - $85 for first offense. $100 for second offense. $125 for subsequent offenses
- South Carolina - $25
- Tennessee - Up to $50
- Texas - Fines set independently by city and can be up to $500
- Utah - Up to $750
- Virginia - $25
- Wisconsin - From $25 to $400.
- Wyoming - $75
Texting Behind the Wheel Could Result in Prison Time
Utah currently has the country’s strictest laws against texting and driving. In 2006, an accident caused by careless texting killed two scientists and prompted state legislators to toughen existing anti-texting laws. Under the current Utah law, violators face $720 in fines and up to 15 years in prison--the same penalty faced by drunk drivers.
Some states carry special provisions that add penalties to the existing anti-texting laws if texting results in an accident that kills another motorist. In January,2010, a 42 year old California man was convicted of striking and killing a pedestrian due to being distracted by texting. He was sentenced to four years in prison.
Consumers Should Adhere to Anti-texting Laws
The lesson behind the law is simple: Don’t do it. Texting while driving isn’t a victimless crime, and can carry years of consequences from prison to the guilt that comes with taking another life. Regardless of how insistently a phone beeps, the potential consequences of texting while driving aren’t worth the risk.
Related Articles:
10 Safe Driving Tips for Teens
Oprah Winfrey's 'No Phone Zone' Pledge and 'No Texting' Campaign
Sources:
Transport Research Laboratory: Dangers of Texting Whilst Driving
The New York Times: Utah Gets Tough With Texting Drivers
Governor's Highway Safety Association: Cell Phone and Texting Laws
Candice Edwards - Candice Gillingwater is a credit specialist and consumer advocate currently living in Georgia. Her goal is to educate the public about ...
