Texting and driving are a deadly combination. Not only is it dangerous to partake in this activity, it is also illegal in 11 states including Massachusetts for all drivers. In fact, beginning in October 2013, all laws will be primary enforcement which means that an officer may cite a driver for using a hand-held cell phone without any other traffic offense taking place.
The fact is that distracted driving kills. Period. Young and inexperienced drivers are the group at the greatest risk.
Did you know
- In 2011, 3,331 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver
- 11% of all drivers under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash
- Text messaging creates a crash risk 23 times worse than driving while not distracted.
- Sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent-at 55 mph-of driving the length of an entire football field, blind.
- 16% of all distracted driving crashes involving drivers under 20
With statistics like these climbing, more and more companies including FBinsure are now offering programs that help educate novice drivers about the dangers of texting and driving. Programs such as Distractology and In-Control were developed in the hopes of lowering these staggering accident statistics.
The Arbella Insurance Foundation of Quincy is now offering a Cellcontrol device called “Trigger”
The Trigger plugs into a car’s on-board-diagnostics port and gives drivers the power to manage phone usage while the car is in motion. Trigger also disables texting while the car is in use and can be programmed to block incoming and outgoing calls, apps, email and web browsing if desired.
Cellcontrol works with all Androids, BlackBerrys and most Windows mobile phones. Cellcontrol plans to offer iPhone functionality in the near future.
Arbella began its campaign against distracted driving in 2010, with the unveiling the state-of-the-art Distractology 101, an interactive program that educates new drivers about the dangers of distracted driving. The program’s centerpiece is a 36-foot-long, neon-yellow mobile classroom outfitted with high-tech driving simulators designed to give new drivers the chance to experience the perils of distracted driving, including texting while driving. To date, more than 4,000 new drivers (those who have been licensed less than three years or have a learner’s permit) have completed the Distractology 101 training. In 2012, 97 percent of students surveyed said the experience was effective or extremely effective, and 82 percent said they would recommend the experience to a friend.
The Distractology 101 program is being offered by FBinsure beginning June 17th and running through June 21st. To secure your spot in this outstanding program contact Pat Bettencourt in the main office of
Middleborough High School at 508-946-2010 ext 3104.
For more information about Cellcontrol visit http://www.cellcontrol.com/arbella/.
For more statistics like the ones listed above you can visit any of these websites:
http://www.distraction.gov/content/get-the-facts/facts-and-statistics.html
