Texas resident Chance Bothe knew texting while driving was dangerous. But he still did it driving to work, college classes, or on the way home. It didn’t seem like a big deal.
And then it happened. He sent a text to a friend…
Moments later his truck went off a bridge and crashed into a ravine.
Just before his truck burst into flames, he was pulled from the wreckage.
But he broke his neck, fractured his skull, and sustained serious brain injuries.
Put down the phone & drive
If you’ve ever sent a text while driving, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration wants you to know it’s just as dangerous as driving blind.1
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month.
In five seconds or less, your car can travel the length of a football field at highway speeds. And if you’re not looking at the road, you could be in trouble. Just ask Bothe.
Every year, an estimated 3,100 people are killed, and nearly 400,000 injured because of distracted driving activities like texting.2 But this is largely preventable.2
3 ways to STOP texting while driving
1. Pull over. Need to send a text? Pull over and park your car in a safe place first.
2. Choose a designated texter. If you’re driving with someone else, have a passenger send text messages for you.
3. Eliminate the habit. Feel the need to click, swipe, tap and type while driving? Put your phone in a place that’s out of reach (like the trunk).
Note: Some newer cars will even disable your phone when driving. And that’s a good thing.
References
1. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2022). April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. From: https://www.nhtsa.gov/es/distracted-driving/april-distracted-driving-awareness-month
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022. Distracted driving. From: https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/distracted_driving/index.html#prevent