When Brendan Grota, 17, climbs in a car with a friend, he often sees a behind-the-wheel behavior that makes him nervous: a text-messaging driver.
"Your eyes are totally fixated on the phone and not on the road," he said.
Brendan, who'll be a senior at Greenbrier High School this fall, said he will call out a friend for texting.
"A lot of teenagers do that -- it's a real big problem," he said.
The increased use of text messaging and cell phones while driving has caught the attention of lawmakers and safety officials across the country. It's something Sgt. Ray Childress of the Columbia County Sheriff's Office says police have started looking for in accidents: either talking or texting on a cell phone. When they find it, it's often single-vehicle accidents where a driver ran off the road while talking or texting.
"They completely lose track on what they're doing," he said.
Pending legislation in Georgia would restrict cell phone use by novice drivers. If it passes, Georgia would join 21 states and the District of Columbia in having such restrictions.
On Jan. 12 the National Safety Council called for a ban on cell phone use while driving. Meredith Morris, the communications manager of the council, said not focusing on the task at hand -- driving -- is unsafe.
The National Traffic Safety Administration says driver inattention is a factor in nearly 80 percent of crashes, although the agency's Web site says "the data are insufficient to quantify crashes caused by cell phone use specifically."
There are different levels of distracted driving: physical and cognitive, Ms. Morris said, and the more complex, the more unsafe it is. Texting can be both.
Most information about the effect of cell phone use while driving is by survey or anecdotal. One recent study by Nationwide Insurance reported a high number of drivers admitted talking on a cell phone while driving: 61.8 percent of drivers 16-17 years old; 89.1 percent of drivers 18-30; 87.6 percent of drivers 31-44; and 74.2 percent of drivers 45-61.
Texting while driving is a relatively new field of data, said Paul Green, a research professor at the University of Michigan in the Transportation Research Institute's human factors division. Studies on the effects of texting and driving have shown it's hazardous, but hard numbers haven't been collected and analyzed.
"It just takes time," he said.
What researchers do know is that texting and cell phones distract drivers. A National Safety Council fact sheet says drivers are four times more likely to be in a crash while using a cell phone.
"People aren't aware of the traffic around them," Dr. Green said.
And the number of wireless subscribers has increased, according to the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association. Wireless penetration of the U.S. population in December 2000 was 38 percent; in December 2005, it was 69 percent. By December 2008, the most recent figure, it was 87 percent.
Dr. Green has testified twice for Michigan bills supporting bans on cell phone use while driving. He thinks legislators are moving faster on texting bans than on calling bans.
"Texting is much more demanding," he said.
A recent study by LaPrecious Harrold on text messaging or fiddling with an mp3 player showed the distraction caused participants 16 to 18 years old to weave and reduce speed at an average of 5 mph in a driving simulator. Dr. Harrold, the chief resident at Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters and resident physician at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, Va., presented the study May 2 to the Pediatric Academic Societies.
The American Medical Association recommends that physicians educate their patients on the "public health risks of text messaging while operating motor vehicles or machinery and will advocate for state legislation prohibiting the use of hand-held communication devices to text message."
Bans specifically for novice drivers separate the two skills: learning to drive and learning to text, Dr. Green said. But turning 18 doesn't mean being able to safely use a cell phone while driving. High crash rates don't drop off until 25, indicating a longer learning curve than just two years.
Sgt. Childress says most text messaging is by drivers in their 20s, and he thinks a ban for all ages would be best. New drivers are too nervous to try to operate a car and a cell phone. Once they've been driving for a few years, they think they're able to do both.
Richmond County sheriff's Maj. Richard Weaver said he isn't aware of a situation locally where texting has caused an accident, but anything that takes your eyes off the road while driving is dangerous.
People do it because it's seen as free time. "We're under pressure to do more," Dr. Green said. "People view it as 'I'm just driving.' "
Brendan, the Greenbrier student, says people often respond to text messages while driving because of convenience and social pressure: "They feel obligated to respond."
And things might get worse.
With aircards, laptops and other mobile technology, Dr. Green said, "texting is just the beginning of the distractions you're going to see."
Reach Sarah Day Owen at (706) 823-3223 or sarah.owen@augustachronicle.com.
THE BILL: Georgia House Bill 23 would restrict cell phone usage, including texting, for those with a Class D license, which is held by drivers younger than 18.
THE PENALTY: The bill gives those who violate wireless telecommunication device requirements 2 points, the same amount as driving 14-19 mph over the speed limit or possessing an open alcoholic beverage container.
THE STATUS: The bill is in the Senate Rules Committee for a vote that could be scheduled next legislative session. It passed in the House 138-34 on March 12.
The sponsor: Matt Ramsey, R-Peachtree City, pre-filed the bill in December. He says this is "the next logical step" for restrictions on Class D licenses because of cell phones' distracting influence on teens.
The back story: Mr. Ramsey was run off the road by a driver talking on a cell phone last summer. He was in the left lane of a four-lane parkway in Peachtree City when he noticed a motorist approaching on the right, driving erratically. As the driver moved into the left lane, Mr. Ramsey pulled onto the grass median to avoid a collision. He was not hurt. Conscientious driving habits should be taught by parents, he said, but a law, with significant penalties, would take the unsafe distraction out of teen hands.
READ MORE: Visit the Georgia General Assembly Web site at www.legis.state.ga.us/search.php and search for H.B. 23.
OTHER STATES' POLICIES
IN SOUTH CAROLINA: Bill 642, for the 2009-10 legislative session, would ban use of wireless handheld devices for drivers younger than 18 while driving.
HANDHELD CELL PHONE BANS: These states prohibit all drivers from talking on handheld cell phones:
ALL CELL PHONES BANNED FOR "NOVICE DRIVERS": 21 states and the District of Columbia have such bans; the definition of "novice driver" varies.
TEXT MESSAGING BANS: 14 states and the District of Columbia ban text messaging for all drivers. Nine states prohibit text messaging by novice drivers.
GET MORE INFORMATION:
- List of states with cell phone restrictions: www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html
- The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has mapped different cell phone bans: iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Teens will continue to make the foolish decisions, regardless of laws. It's what they do.
It's not just teens!
seriously CBBP, idiocy has no age limit.
dr. laprecious harrold LOL
I don't understand why they think that it's only teens that does this. It should be banned for everyone.
I have observed drivers of all ages texting, and the same applies to talking on the phone. Texting while driving has already caused injuries and death on the highways. It is time for a real ban on texting while driving. As far as the wording of some of these laws, when you have legislature/lawyers writing the laws they will keep loopholes in the legislation to give them ways to get their clients off when they get caught doing something wrong.
As a first step lets stop law enforcement officers from doing this. I see this all the time (talking while driving). Also, I am concerned about the laptop computers in their cars. I have observed many deputies' heads oscillating back and forth between the road and the screen while driving.
I have seen first hand what drivers do when their attention is not focused on driving. Drivers do not need to be distracted by cell phones when they are driving. Texting compounds the problem. Since lack of attention while driving can get you or someone else killed, I would favor a law banning the use of cell phones while in a moving vehicle.
It would be nice if cars were equipped with a device to make it impossible to use a cell phone while the car is moving. While this law is a step in the right direction, people will continue to use phones while driving.
We also have a law against drinking and driving. How's that working out? Laws mean nothing unless courts will dish out the tough punishment to offenders who willing violate laws. One country where I was stationed had a 1 strike rule for dui. If you were caught driving with any, yes any alcohol in your system, you served a certain amount of jail time and permenantly lost your license! Needless to say, they had very few offenders. We Americans put up with too much crap from offenders because we're so afraid their rights might be violated. What about our right to drive without the threat of a driver that is under the influence or distracted by a cell phone plowing into us? Pass all the laws you want. Unless we get really nasty with these offenders, it will mean nothing! Let's hear from some libs calling me racist and hateful now.
The law should be for everyone at any age! That is totally stupid to text or talk while driving.
Right on southerguy03.
I agree with Coldbeer, it is not just Teens.
southernguy I agree with your 10:06. It should be a law here that will take a person's license permanently if they are caught just one time with dui. I am sure some of the AC posters would not like such a law, because they drink and drive.
This reminds me of a post yesterday where a female driver was on her cell phone, drinking coffee and trying to drive with a car load of kids that pulled out in front of the poster. Pass the law to ban cell phones on the move.
SG08, the law is pretty tough on DUIs to the best of my knowledge in both SC and Ga. Some states, not so.
Why did AC stop posting pictures of those convicted of dui? I have not seen even one picture in at least 6 or 8 months.
JACK, the law might be tough, but without judges willing to dish it out thoroughly and evenly, it has no teeth. The number of repeat offenders we have is evidence of this. Mandatory jail sentences FOR EVERYONE, mandatory permenant loss of license FOR EVERYONE, mandatory victims compensation paid by the offenders FOR EVERYONE, will get the attention of offenders quicker than anything else.
And, yet, we put data terminals in the front passenger seat of police cars!! Go figure. Don't think they are not using them..that is how they get dispatched in many cases. Ever passed a police car where the officer was on the cell phone (ever passed one when he/she was not)?
I think they should take texting off of cell phones. No need to text pick up phone and make your call.
Everyone is being affected by this. I was taking my daughter to an appointment and a white SUV came barreling around the next corner and nearly hit us head on, boy I was angry because I looked up and she was yapping on the phone! My daughter and I were really shook up not just because of what happened, but because the driver was STILL oblivious and it was my own sister-in-law! I have never run into her anywhere in the CSRA before by coincidence, it would have been a horrific coincidence if she had hit us. That was pretty much the last straw for our relationship, even though I never mentioned it to her.
Whether you've had your license for one year or twenty years, texting while driving is dangerous for anyone!
The law should include everyone!
patricathomas has, once again, pegged the stupidity meter with this gem: "Teens will continue to make the foolish decisions, regardless of laws. It's what they do." Well, of course, why didn't I think of that bit of wisdom? Let's see -- murderers will murder, drunk drivers will drink & drive, financial scam-sters will scam, rapists will rape, child molesters will molest and terrorists will terrorize, Hey, "...regardless of laws. It's what they do." What, me worry? That's just the way life is, que sera, sera, and we don't need any stinkin' laws to try and discourage bad behavior. patriciathomas, you really should check yourself into a rehabilitation institution, since the zany and twisted cerebral processes that are occurring within that object perched atop your shoulders is a threat to your fellow citizens. Perhaps a little less time spent absorbing the hazardous radiation emanating from the like of Limbaugh, Hannity, O'Reilly, and Beck would help to mitigate the sociopathic tendencies that you evidence. And, other posters are on the mark when they say that such a law should apply to ALL drivers. There are many "adults" who behave like juveniles in a motor vehicle.
It is every age group texting and talking. And it is VERY distracting!!! There needs to be a LAW put into force and USED to BAN the used of any and all wireless devices by all drivers of motor vehicles. What is the problem with pulling into a parking lot and talking on your precious phone for five minutes if you must talk??? That's what I do!!!! I cann't muti-task when I am driving for the simple reason that I DO NOT WANT TO BE THE CAUSE OF A WRECK!!! I have been driving 33 years with ZERO wrecks!! Can everyone say that?????