The Virigina Tech Transportation Institute has released the results of studies it has performed on cell phone use and driver distraction. Though common sense dictates that talking or texting while driving is a bad idea, these studies help to put some real numbers around just how dangerous the practice is. The studies include observations of drivers for a total of more than 6 million miles of driving. The studies also differentiated light vehicles and heavy vehicles or trucks.
When it came to simply dialing on a cell phone the risk of a crash or near crash was 2.8 times that of a non-distracted driver for light vehicles. The practice was even more dangerous for heavy vehicles or trucks since the risk was nearly twice as much at 5.9 times. There was also a big difference between light vehicles and heavy vehicles or trucks when it came to simply reaching for an object while driving. Light vehicle drivers’ risk of a crash was 1.4 times as high as non-distracted driving. Heavy vehicle or truck drivers’ risk rose to 6.7 times.
One of the most dangerous risks was text messaging while driving a heavy vehicle or truck. Those engaging in that practice had a risk of crash that was 23.2 times as high as non-distracted driving. A summary of the findings of the studies was that any action that took the driver’s eyes away from the road would result in a higher risk of an accident.
Read more from the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute press release (PDF).
Hmm, so let me get this straight. If something takes my eyes off the road while driving I am more likely to have an accident?
Seriously, there are some people that actually don’t see the harm in talking or texting while driving. Heck, some truck drivers watch movies while driving. Clearly, these are the people that need to hear the results of studies like this. Unfortunately, some drivers find out the risks too late and end up hurting other people who actually are keeping their eyes on the road.
The most stunning result of the studies was the fact that texting while driving a heavy vehicle or truck basically increased your chance of having an accident to about 1 in 4. That’s not very good odds when it comes to safe driving. It really makes you realize that there is no text message worth reading or responding to that would increase your risk of an accident like that.