Federal Government Considers Expanding Ban on Texting While Driving

Driving while texting (DWT) is even more dangerous than using a cell phone.
DWT: Driving while texting, driving while tweeting and driving while talking on a hand held cell phone increases the amount of time motorists spend driving outside the yellow highway lines.

Text messaging and using iPods caused drivers to leave their lanes 10 percent more often in a simulated driving study conducted by researchers in the Clemson University psychology department.

The study tested drivers’ ability to stay in their lanes on a curvy road while they completed such tasks as talking on cell phones, text messaging and operating MP3 players. Although their reaction time may have been reduced, there was no reduction in lane-keeping for drivers who talked on cell phones. But for those who looked away from the road to use electronics, the difference was significant, according to Johnell Brooks, assistant professor of psychology.
   
“We already know drivers are distracted when talking on their cell phones,” Brooks said. “This research shows that using an iPod or text-messaging while driving is potentially more dangerous.”

When text messaging, the drivers crossed the center line or left their lane roughly 10 percent more often.

Recent trends show that the number of drivers who text message while driving is on the rise, making this is an important safety issue, said Brooks, who led a creative inquiry team that conducted the research. The project was a joint undertaking between the psychology and civil engineering departments.

This January the federal government formally barred truckers and bus drivers from sending text messages while behind the wheel, putting its imprimatur on a prohibition embraced by many large trucking and transportation companies.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "This is an important safety step, and we will be taking more to eliminate the threat of distracted driving."
Although both houses of Congress are considering bills restricting texting and 19 states have banned the practice. LaHood said that existing rules on truckers and bus drivers give him the authority to issue the prohibition. LaHood said drivers of commercial vehicles caught texting could be fined up to $2,750.