A popular form of communication has emerged as a contributing cause in an early morning one-vehicle accident last month at Sixth Avenue and Elm Street.
Police say the teenaged driver of the vehicle told police that she had been texting on her cell phone at the time of the accident.
Texting, coupled with other factors, allegedly resulted in her driving into a traffic-control sign and snapping off a utility pole a couple of feet above the ground. The girl escaped serious injuries.
“I’ve worked three (accidents) in the last year and a half that involved cell phones. There’s one fatality in the recent past that we questioned cell phone usage,” said Emporia police officer Larry Clay, who specializes in traffic issues.
And Clay thinks that may be only the tip of the cell phone iceberg.
“The ones that admit it are probably very few,” he said.
Cell phone use by drivers has been a growing phenomenon for the past 15 to 18 years.
The number of people using cell phones and other wireless communication devices burgeoned between 1990 and February 2008, according to research provided by the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association to the Insurance Information Institute.
In February 2008, more than 254 million people had subscribed for cell phone service, CTIA reported. That figure is more than 600 times the 4.3 million recorded in 1990.
CTIA reported that text messaging has become the predominant mode of communication among teens. In January 2006, the latest statistic available, “wireless users sent more than 64.8 billion text messages and that figure continues to grow each year,” according to CTIA information provided by U.S. Cellular.
U.S. Cellular is encouraging cell phone customers to keep safety in mind when they enjoy the convenience of communicating.
“Text-messaging is an excellent example of how wireless technology provides consumers with the freedom to communicate whenever and wherever they want,” Roberta Winger, sales director for the company’s Emporia office, said in a written statement. “We recommend to parents, however, that they discuss the appropriate cell phone boundaries with teens who use wireless phones, because etiquette, common sense and safety are Priority One.”
Teens, though, are not the only users indulging in “short messaging service,” the industry term for texting.
According to information from JupiterResearch, LLC, 18- to 24-year-olds in 2007 ranked highest of all age groups in SMS use. In that group, 85 percent of the cell phone users questions said they had used text messaging at least once during the past six months, while those aged 15, 16 and 17 hovered between 75 and 77 percent in SMS use. In the 25 to 34 age group, 73 percent had texted.
“Older teens also report texting more frequently than talking on cell phones, whereas the opposite is true for younger teens,” the JupiterResearch report stated.
That concerns law enforcement, who know that drivers looking at phone key pads to spell out words are not paying enough attention to the road and other drivers around them. Texting seems to be more distracting than talking while driving, and research is sketchy at best.
Ongoing studies of cell-phone talking while driving have brought contradictions in results. Researchers agree that using a cell phone distracts attention from driving, but the test results diverge from that point.
Some studies report that talking on a cell phone while driving equates to driving with a blood-alcohol content of about .08, or legally drunk, while one of the latest studies shows that talking on the phone while driving is hazardous, though less hazardous than retrieving a CD from the floor of a vehicle.
With texting in its infancy, long-term safety studies and statistics are not readily available.
What law enforcement and insurance agents know for certain, however, is that texting is a distraction, and a potentially dangerous one at that.
“It’s not a good thing to do when you’re driving down the road,” said local insurance agent Daryl Polzin.
“I have seen a few ads on TV — I can’t remember what company it is — that says they’ll give you a break if you don’t use your phone in your car.”
From a practical point of view, Polzin said, that insurance company would find it near-impossible to make certain its policyholders were not using cell phones in their vehicles.
“I think maybe it’s just to give people the insight that this is something you shouldn’t be doing. It’s not a smart thing to do,” Polzin said. “... You couldn’t really cancel and say, ‘We’re not going to pay this claim’ because that’s what insurance is for.”
Polzin noted that cell-phone usage is not the only distraction for drivers.
“People drop stuff all the time,” he said. “They bend over to pick up a piece of paper or a pencil or the drumstick they’re eating and they have an accident.”
Legislation against driving while talking on a cell phone has become a solution in some areas, he said.
“I know there are states that are saying you can’t talk on your cell phones, are making it illegal to be driving down the road and talking on your cell phone,” Polzin said.
Kansas is not one of those states. California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Washington, and the District of Columbia have laws prohibiting driving while talking on handheld cell phones. Additionally, 17 states and the District of Columbia have special cell phone driving laws for novice drivers.
No information could be found about laws limiting text-messaging while driving.
Comments
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Posted by missy (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 2:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I know the girl who was involved in the wreck and she wasnt texting she was looking for her phone in her seat when she knocked over the pole.
Posted by hottopics (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe instead of outlawing it, it should be directed at teen drivers under 18? So many of us can be distracted by more things than a phone but young drivers with less experience may need to be monitored? Just a thought.
I still dont see how they could police it effectively. You cant see what they are doing on their below the door window anyhow.
Posted by landofoz (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They should just make it part of the drivers test. Have you send some text messages while you are doing your driven test and if the instructor decides that you are a capable texter they will put a T as an endorsment on your license.
Posted by lildarling (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 5:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm guessing that landofoz' comment was sarcastic. Sure there is no way to police texting while driving but there definitely is no need to encourage "capable texters."
Posted by Pollyanna (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 6:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
All I know is that it scares the hell outta me knowing I'm sharing the road with someone using BOTH HANDS to text...At least both thumbs! I'm an regular mom who texts once in a while but there's no way on God's green earth I could do it while trying to operate a moving vehicle. I know that ages me, but sheesh people...NO TEXTING WHILE DRIVING!! I have precious cargo to get places safely...namely my kids!
Posted by Hillbilly (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 6:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
missy, I feel so much better knowing that she was looking for her damn phone she lost while driving, and how do you know that?? did she tell you or text you??
I am glad you cleared that up missy, what the hell would she hit if she was texting???
Posted by rami (anonymous) on April 2, 2008 at 9:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have had people get mad at me repeatedly because I won't answer a text message "just because I'm driving". I think it is ridiculous to expect me to put myself or others in danger just because they want a fast response.
If it is urgent (one of my kids) then I will pull over and respond.
If you are driving and texting then your eyes are not on the road, plain and simple.
Posted by siamesefred (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 6:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sorry, but I have to say that it's not just teens who are texting while driving. None will admit it publicly, but privately, several of my friends (mid-30s to 40s) admit to texting while driving.
Of course, I used to watch my mother put her makeup on while driving, so I guess there will always be some unnecessary task to distract us when driving.
Posted by USNretired (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 9:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
People do all sorts of dumb things while driving, or instead of driving. I guess it boils down to judgment. The police have a hard time enforcing the driving laws for things like stop signs that you can see from blocks away, I don't see how how they are supposed to see a cell phone that is below eye level. Accident investigations are after the damage is done, and driver's ed is pretty nonexistent here these days. This is one we all need to teach our kids and friends not to do.
Posted by create (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's a good thing that not everyone in the old west had their own personal telegraph equipment.
Posted by mythoughts (anonymous) on April 3, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Texting has to be worse than talking because you need to look at the screen to see if you got it all down, and to read any responses. It should be illegal, as should talking on the phone while driving. Get off the phone and drive! Otherwise, pull over and concentrate on who you are talking to. PLEASE!
Posted by manaboulsi (anonymous) on April 5, 2008 at 11:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Banning hand held phones is step one in saving lives, but let’s face it, connectivity gives us competitive edge. If we turn off our cell phones, we will be at a disadvantage by the next person who is still using it.
What is need is not more legislation, enforcement or Disconnectyivity. What we need is managed middle ground that's based on safety and Facts
THE TRUE DATA FROM THE FIELD shows that
1- 43% of accidents occur when the phone rings in and drivers try to answer. (NO CONVERSTATION YET)
2- 23% of accidents occur when a driver tries to dial a number, Similar to texting. (NO CONVERSATION YET)
3- The remainder caused by multiple reasons including conversation.
This data was confirmed more then once by studies in Japan and referenced by many U.S. scientists as well as NHTSA.
This managed middle ground should create order in the vehicle and give priority to driving tasks over other activities, but still enable other activities while helping keep/or even assuring Eyes on the Road and Hands on the Wheel. Such engineering should be based on real world data
We have developed, proved and globally patented a system that balances the entire driving experience with emphasis on safety, but still allowing drivers to use communication technologies while driving. Our system has the following key features:
1- Hands are monitored to be on the steering wheel, this enables configuration to enable or disable devices when hands status is not compliant with safety.
2- The driver controls all accessories, including cell phones from “thumb gesture” on the steering wheel. (Yes, texting is possible if the laws allow it)
3- Incoming communications are silenced when Drivers are passing, merging, changing lanes, turn signal engaged, etc, (So as not to surprise the driver).
4- Any information, whether from a caller ID or navigation direction is given verbally to the driver, so there's no need to look at a screen.
5- System is calibrated to driver’s skills and experience so a teen aged driver is given certain allowances and elderly drivers are provided more assistant.
6- System is geographically aware based on Navigation data of curves, lights, stop signs and other legal boundaries and can warn driver’s to slow down or modify behavior when distracted
We need to stay connected to stay competitive, but we need to do it safely. What we need is to educate our legislative bodies to require a device like ours on every vehicle. This will auatomatically enforce driving & calling rules without the need to have a policeman for every drivers.
88% of people that see our demo say they’ll buy such a device while 87% think of it as the safest thing as compared to what’s out there. Please contact us on www.actplace.net .
Thank you: Mouhamad A. Naboulsi, president Applied Computer Technologies, Inc.
www.actplace.net
Posted by blulitespecial (anonymous) on June 7, 2008 at 10:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
manaboulsi - good post.I think being seen texting and driving declares to the world that "This driver is 3 bricks shy- Stay back!" Beware the person that declares how educated or smart they are,and can do all the dumb things possible,and still drive.
Posted by Bjnemp (anonymous) on June 7, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
My career was in the wireless (cellular) industry, at least from 1991 until I recently retired, and I very rarely made a phone call while driving, only answered a call if very important, and NEVER sent a text message while my car was moving. Why? Because IT ISN'T SAFE! Cell phones are miraculous instruments, but few people are smart enough or responsible enough to use them properly while behind the wheel. Every day I see hundreds of drivers yakking on the phone while driving down the street or highway. I always wonder what could be so important that the call couldn't wait until they get where they are going. Cell phones aren't dangerous, but most drivers with cell phones are.
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