Studies have shown that people who use cell phones while driving– whether they are talking on the phone or sending text messages– are four times as likely to be involved in accidents serious enough to injure themselves.

Four teens killed in car crash. Driver was reported sending a text message.

According to the Insurance Institute on Drivers Safety, 89% of Americans think that sending, writing, or reading text messages or e-mails while driving is highly distracting, a danger for other drivers on the road and that it should be illegal. 91% of adults even believed that “texting drivers” were as dangerous as drivers who had a couple of drinks!

Yet, two-thirds of adults admit to reading text messages while driving, and a large percentage of them (64%) admit to also sending text messages while on the road.

The use of cell phones forces drivers to take their eyes off the road– and even though it is only for a brief moment at a time, it may be enough to cause a serious accident.

The next time you’re in the passenger seat while someone else is at the wheel, try this little exercise. This works best if your heading down the highway. Pick an object ahead of you and as soon as you pass it, close your eyes for 4 seconds. Then open your eyes and look back to see how much distance you’ve covered.

Now think about all of the things that could have happened during that 4 seconds.

If you have kids that are learning or about to learn how to drive, ask them to do this exercise the next time you have them in the car with you.

Tom Wiecek, President
Paramount Insurance Agency

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