More on Mothers against text-driving

First off, scientifically, there are different kinds of distractions.

• Visual distractions take your eyes off the road.
• Manual distractions take your hands off the wheel.
• Cognitive distractions take your mind off the road.
 
. . .
 
But texting is a “perfect storm.” It requires you to look at the keyboard, manually manipulate the keys, and think about what you’re writing. This means texting is a visual, manual, and cognitive distraction all in one.

Consumer Reports Cars Blog has more.

President Obama signed an Executive Order last night banning federal employees from texting while driving on Government business or if using Government-paid phones in their own cars.

Consumer Reports Cars Blog also has this:

Data from Virginia Tech shows that texting increases your odds 23.2 times of having a crash. That’s off the charts compared to drinking (even odds), eating (1.6 times), or applying make-up (3.1 times.) Some distractions, like talking to a passenger or adjusting the radio, actually improved safety and had a protective effect, possibly by combating fatigue or having the passenger serving as a collision warning device.

One thought on “More on Mothers against text-driving”

  1. The President’s Executive Order is quite broad.

    (b) “Texting” or “Text Messaging” means reading from or entering data into any handheld or other electronic device, including for the purpose of SMS texting, e-mailing, instant messaging, obtaining navigational information, or engaging in any other form of electronic data retrieval or electronic data communication.

    (c) “Driving” means operating a motor vehicle on an active roadway with the motor running, including while temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic light or stop sign, or otherwise. It does not include operating a motor vehicle with or without the motor running when one has pulled over to the side of, or off, an active roadway and has halted in a location where one can safely remain stationary.

    Government personnel, including contract personnel, are directed not to “text” while driving Government vehicles, while driving their own vehicle while on Government business, or even in their own vehicle if using a Government cell phone.

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