According to an Associated Press story on the WTOP Radio Web site, "Texting while driving increases the risk of a crash much more than previous studies have concluded with motorists taking their eyes off the road longer than they do when talking or listening on their cell phones."
"The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute used cameras to continuously observe light vehicle drivers and truckers for more than 6 million miles. It found that when drivers of heavy trucks texted, their collision risk was 23 times greater than when not texting. Dialing a cell phone and using or reaching for an electronic device increased risk of collision about 6 times in cars and trucks.
"The study also concluded that headset cell phone use is not substantially safer than hand-held because the primary risks associated with both are answering, dialing and other tasks that take drivers' eyes off the road."
The Institute recommended that texting should be banned for all drivers and all cell phone use should be prohibited for newly licensed teen drivers. Currently, 14 states do ban texting while driving.
What's your thoughts? Do you agree with the study that texting and driving is bad and should be banned and the new no texting while driving law in Virginia? Leave your comments below.
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