Texting by teen drivers widespread
Teenagers are known for their technological finesse, from texting to e-mail to social media. But put that knowledge behind the wheel and you get one of today’s most talked-about health dangers — distracted driving.
The Centers for Disease Control recently released the results of a survey that examined risky behaviors in the nation’s youth. Of more than 15,000 teens polled, one in three admitted to texting or e-mailing while driving in the 30 days prior to the survey. This is the first time the federal government has compiled data on teen texting and driving.
For many, the results are far from surprising. Columbia Falls Police Chief Dave Perry said that cell phone use has been a marked problem in his jurisdiction, for both young and more experienced drivers.
“Everyone you talk to has experienced an incident,” Perry said. “Nobody disputes the fact that it’s distracting.”
Perry said he recently experienced a near-miss when a driver who was talking on the phone made a left-hand turn in front of him, nearly causing a crash. He supports a pending ordinance regarding a cell phone ban for drivers in Columbia Falls, he said, because it would make it easier for law enforcement to fight distracted driving.
The Columbia Falls City Council held a public hearing on the texting and driving ban at their June 18 meeting. No action will be taken until July at the earliest.
One local teen admits attempting to read and compose text messages while driving. But Garrett Scallen, 17, of Columbia Falls, said he makes a habit of avoiding the distraction while on the road.
“I decided against doing it,” Scallen said. “I think it’s more distracting than anything.”
Scallen said he sends and receives constant messages throughout the day — “too many to count,” he said. His best guess was that he sends at least 200 messages each day.
A 2010 Pew Research Center study found that the average teen sent approximately 100 messages each day, although Pew hasn’t updated that number since then.
Like Chief Perry, Scallen says the problem most likely isn’t limited to teenagers. Texting and driving at 47 is just as dangerous as at 17, and older adults are probably just as guilty of succumbing to distraction.
“I think it’s equal,” Scallen said.
Scallen’s mother agreed with the young man on all counts. Texting is not acceptable in a number of situations, the most notable being while driving a vehicle.
Fortunately, the same CDC survey that highlighted the texting and driving behavior also unearthed several ways that youths are becoming safer behind the wheel. Notable improvements include a decline in drunk driving, riding with impaired drivers and consistent seat belt use.