It’s hard to believe but 47% of adults say they have been guilty of DWT – Driving While Texting. Most of us think it is just something the “young” folks do. It is in part generational, but it is affecting all ages of drivers. Part of the problem is there is no social stigma attached to it yet; however, 19 states already ban texting while driving. Others are working on legislation right now that would ban it, making fines increasingly high as well as adding as many as two points to a driver’s license if caught.

Many of us have the attitude “Do as I say, not as I do”, underestimating other driver’s ability and overestimating our own. We all think we’re at least fairly intelligent, but really, it’s not overly smart to DWT. There are hundreds of examples of this lack of intelligence every day, just stand on the street corner and watch people drive past. A stunning number are texting or talking while driving. It might even be possible to see someone talking on their cell, driving and drinking a beer. Perhaps it’s for these reasons that a 2009 study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 35% of drivers feel less safe on the road than they did five years ago. Kevin W. Bakewell, senior vice president of the AAA Auto Club South, tried to put it in context: Someone driving 70 mph travels 100 feet per second. While writing just a three-second text message, a driver can go the length of a football field without looking at the road. Bakewell also said “There is no instance where taking your hands off the wheel, where taking your mind and eyes off the road, is safe.”

According to figures released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2008, at any given moment 6% of drivers are talking on a cell phone. That was up from 4% in 2002. The study also found that 1% of all drivers are texting at any given time.

The decision to leave your cell phone alone while driving is really a no brainer, even Oprah is getting in on the buzz about DWT. The heartbreaking stories of tragic deaths caused by cell phone use rival those on drunk driving. Most of us have very strong opinions and feelings on DWI, but for DWT, it’s sort of all mixed up. According to psychologist Susan Weinschenek, author of the book “Neuro Web Design” cell phone use; calls or texts- evoke a response similar to addictive behavior. Receiving or sending a message can give recipients a “kick” in the form of dopamine, part of the brains seek-and-pleasure system. One kick usually encourages another kick and catches users in a “dopamine induced loop”.

Everyone wants to drive safe and to be safe when out on the road, keep yourself and everyone in your vehicle safe by leaving your cell phone alone. Ignoring that buzz that indicates a text message just might save your life and that of your children. Life is more important than any incoming call or message. From your friends at Good Works Auto Repair – be safe!