By Benjamin Martin

 One of the increasingly leading causes of automobile accidents for nearly all age groups is texting while driving. More sophisticated communications technology, particularly the use of cell phones, seems to have also come with a huge price in terms of the increased risk of being in an accident. Cell phones are seen everywhere while on the road, but we need to deal with the very real risks and consequences of this new technology. That is the question.

Obviously, a basic rule of driving is to keep your eyes on the road at all times. Ignore this one rule for a fraction of a second and you could find yourself on the verge of a car accident almost insantaniously. Looking at your phone the instant it beeps takes attention away from the road and the cars and trucks surrounding you.

There are those who scoff at this precautional advice and instead claim that they can send text messages without the need of looking at their mobile phones. Even though some may be able to text without physically looking at their phone, their brain is still focused on the phone when pressing letters to form words and even creating those silly little smiley faces.

At the top of the list for mobile phone use when driving are teenagers. This certainly isn't a shocking statistic, since they are also the group that most easily adapts to new technology. Older drivers are most likely to refrain from using a mobile handset and talking while driving. Lacking driving experience, younger drivers just don't realize the risks that they take when trying to text while driving. Although they may know that it is wrong, many of them will not wait to read a text message the instant their phone beeps.

Many claim that as parents, we should set the tone for strict mobile phone use when driving and NOT talk or text on our own phones. Lecturing and simply speaking to your teen may not be enough though, so think about instituting consequences for breaking the "no texting while driving" rule. Loss of their driving privaledges is a great way to make the point that texting while driving will not be tolerated. It is crucial for them to keep their children on the right path and realize the dangers that lie ahead if the no-texting-while-driving rule is not followed.

In a recent study, it was shown that people who text while they are driving are more prone to car accidents by 23 times than when they are not texting. Virginia Tech Transportation Institute conducted a study to determine how long do drivers look or peak into their mobile phones while driving. The study revealed that drivers look into their phones to check or send messages for approximately 4 or 5 seconds. Obviously shifting your focus to your phone that much means that you are not concentrating on the road. In fact, you can crash your car in just a blink of an eye. There are multiple studies that show much the same data and arrive at the very same conclusions. And, as with other driving distractions such as eating and driving, this one is easy to refrain from. Setting the phone to silence all sounds and beeps is one way to handle this problem. For those drivers who cannot do this, putting the phone out of arm's reach (like in the trunk) may be a better idea.

Laws Regarding Mobile Texting and Driving

Currently, very few states have legislation prohibiting the use of cell phones while driving, however some states like New York do have rules that madates the use of a hands-free device in order to talk while driving. Legally, most states have simply not caught up to the necessity of cell phone driving legislation, but there are bills pending before various legislatures and more are expected to pass in the next several years.

Drinking and Driving don't go hand in hand.

Parents of teenage drivers definitley remember the "Don't Drink and Drive" movement in the 1980's. Now, getting behind the wheel of a car is not longer acceptable if you had that last drink before leaving the party. Drinking and driving was one thing that people did not want to be associated with because it was now illegal and unacceptable. Driving while texting can go down the same road as drinking and driving; so next time, wait until you get to your destination to check that new text message, or the results could be fatal.

Take the time to look at the advantages and the disadvantages of the practical use of technology, even if it claims to make life easier and better.

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