Texting Behind the Wheel: A Dangerous Game We Must Stop Playing

April 5, 2023

Mountaineer News

Wellness Wednesdays

It's Wellness Wednesdays at Mountaineer News, and today, let's talk about a topic that's not so wellness-promoting: texting while driving.

Despite West Virginia's primary laws banning handheld device use and texting while driving, distracted driving remains a pressing issue in the state. The dangers of distracted driving are not to be taken lightly - it refers to any activity that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving. This includes texting, eating, talking to passengers, fiddling with your stereo, and anything else that diverts your attention from the road.

Nationally, distracted driving has led to 3,142 fatalities in 2019 alone, with approximately 660,000 drivers using or manipulating electronic devices while driving at any given moment. In West Virginia, there were an average of 279 fatal motor vehicle crashes annually between 2016-2020, with 69 involving distracted drivers.

To combat this epidemic, West Virginia passed a law in 2012 prohibiting texting or using a cell phone without hands-free technology while operating a motor vehicle. Despite this, the need to address distracted driving remains. If we all do our part to stay focused on the road and avoid distractions while driving, we can help prevent unnecessary accidents and fatalities.

Let's talk about the risks. When we text, we take our eyes off the road, our hands off the wheel, and our minds off the task at hand. This distraction can cause us to miss important traffic signals, swerve into another lane, or even crash into another vehicle. And the statistics are alarming: according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), texting while driving is six times more likely to cause an accident than driving while intoxicated.

And it's not just about the risk of getting into an accident. The consequences of texting while driving can be devastating. Lives can be lost, families can be shattered, and guilt and remorse can haunt you for the rest of your life.

So, what can we do to prevent texting while driving? First and foremost, make a commitment to never text and drive. It's a simple yet powerful decision that can save lives.

Although Bluetooth technology has become ubiquitous in the hands-free world, there may still be times when we struggle to resist the temptation to text while driving. However, we can leverage technology to help us overcome this temptation. For example, many smartphones now have a "Do Not Disturb While Driving" mode that automatically activates when the car is in motion. Additionally, several apps are available that can read texts aloud or enable voice commands for sending messages.

But ultimately, the most effective way to prevent texting while driving is to lead by example.

As adults, we are responsible for modeling safe driving behaviors for the younger generation. Parents and guardians, talk to your teens about the risks and set clear boundaries and expectations. And for all of us, let's prioritize our safety and the safety of those around us by putting our phones down when we're behind the wheel.

Ultimately, texting while driving is a dangerous behavior we must work together to prevent. It's time to take a stand and commit to never creating and sending a manual text while driving. Let's use technology to our advantage and lead by example, so we can all arrive at our destination safely.