Smart phones, email and texting has become a way of life. But when that technology merges with your driving, it makes for a dangerous situation.
Sergeant Paul Reinsch, with the Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F said, “Texting takes total concentration, and so does driving. You can't do both at the same time."
Sergeant Reinsch says a distracted driver is like a drunk driver.
"They drive to the left, they speed up, they slow down. They're not consistent in their driving patterns, because their mind is elsewhere."
According to the National Safety Council, 28% of all car accidents are caused by talking or texting while driving. The Department of Transportation says that adds up 1.6 million accidents a year. Those statistics don't surprise Sgt. Reinsch.
Reinsch said, "At highway speeds, you are going almost 100 feet per second. In 2-3 seconds, you are going almost the length of a football field. So if you take your eyes off the roadway for that long, that's a scary thing."
The Capital Region Medical Center Emergency Room sees about a dozen car crashes every week caused by suspected distracted drivers. While drivers don't always admit it, a veteran ER physician can usually tell.
Dr. Jake Tomblinson said, "This morning we had an accident where someone said they checked both ways, but then pulled out in front of somebody. So, you wonder if there was a distraction in some way, shape or form."
Dr. Tomblinson wants Mid-Missourians to realize texting isn't worth an accident.
"Your safety is a priority. Most things you are on the phone for can wait until you are in a safe place."
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