SOS, SMS – the Official Guide to SMS Safety

How to Text for Safety’s Sake

Hey, you!  Yeah, you with the lightning fast thumb.  Turns out that texting is not only fun and addictive, it’s also lethal.  We’ve all heard the escalating reports that texting while driving is the cause of accident after accident, but did you know that new studies show that texting while driving increases your reaction time by 35%–which weighs in as more than twice as bad as alcohol (12% increase in reaction time) and even worse that marijuana (24% increase).  In fact, do the math, and it’s actually kind of like you’re drunk out of your mind and high as a kite.  Not to mention that there are allegations of the train conductor in the fatal California crash texting while driving, and a subsequent ban immediately in effect in California.  So here is how to get the most of your messaging package and not get killed-or kill someone else.  (Photo Credit: ford)

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Know the Law. Currently, it varies by location (states in the US and countries outside the US have different laws-check here for a guide to US state laws) but it may be illegal for you to talk or text on your cell phone at all in the car, so double check.  If it’s illegal, a cop can pull you over just for that, so if you’re going to be cavalier with your safety, don’t be cavalier with the law.

Check First. Make it part of your routine-get in the car, adjust your mirrors, put on your seat belt, check your phone.  If there are text messages, before you put the car in drive, respond, take care of it, and if people are expecting a reply, tell them you’re hopping in the car.  Put the phone somewhere easy to reach that you won’t have to look away from the road to get it (because let’s face it, even if I can get you to stop texting in the car, you’re not going to stop checking your phone).  (Photo Credit: Stephen Parker)

Resist Temptation. If you are driving, here’s what you should be doing:  watching the road. Peripheral vision diminishes significantly after only three seconds, so in the three seconds that you glance at a phone, you’ve lost all awareness of the world around you.  Seriously?  If you’re moving, cut it out.

Red Means Go. If your foot is firmly pressing the brake pad, then-and only then-can you get out your cell phone (this is not the case in states with a no-texting law).  Pick it up from its easily accessed location, and bring it up above the steering wheel.  In this position, you can see it, but you’re also maintaining your field of peripheral vision which is crucial in an emergency.  You are also effectively blocking your view of the road ahead, which is why you have to be at a full and complete stop.

Don’t Kid Yourself. There are people who can text without ever looking at the phone, this is true.  Are you one of them?  If so, you probably think yourself above the advice I’ve just given.  It never distracts you.  Get real! It’s not just your vision that’s being compromised, it’s also your attention.  Any time you’re thinking about something as tangible as which button to press, you’re diverting attention away from the road and you fall into the same statistic as above-your reaction time is dulled beyond that of a drunk, high driver

Make a List. If none of the above sways you, make a list.  On it, write everything you wouldn’t be able to do if you were in a really bad car accident.  Beneath that, write everyone who, if they knew it would save your life, would beg you not to text and drive.  Think about it.  Is up to the minute connectivity really worth risking your own life or someone else’s? (Photo Credit: psd)