Among all of the dangerous distracted driving behaviors, some prove more statistically dangerous than others. Among the highest-ranked dangers is texting while driving, which has proven enormously risky and often deadly.
But what about texting while driving makes it such a risk? What sets this apart from other dangerous and risky behaviors?
The frequency of texting while driving
The Federal Communications Commission takes a look at dangers related to distracted driving, including texting while driving. Texting while driving is essentially exactly what it says on the tin: it is the act of using a mobile device to text message others while simultaneously operating a vehicle.
This serves as such a massive danger for two primary reasons. First, far too many people engage in this behavior. Texting while driving serves as one of the most frequent dangerous driving behaviors on the road. The higher rate of texting drivers means you are more likely to run into one at any given time.
Three points of distraction
Second, texting distracts you in all three of the major ways that can lead to a crash. In order for distraction to cause a crash, it must either mentally, physically or visually take a driver’s attention away from the road. Visually, your eyes are on your screen instead of what is in front of your car. Physically, you often have a hand operating the phone, which means you only have one on the wheel. Mentally, you focus more on texting than on driving.
Texting while driving is one of the only driver distractions that affects each of your senses and makes it difficult – or impossible – to drive in a safe manner.