People who text on a mobile phone while driving more dangerous than those who drive having consumed alcohol or drugs.
Using a driving simulator, scientists in a study conducted in the United Kingdom found that the reaction times of people who sent text messages while driving were impaired by thirty five per cent.
This is higher than a twelve per cent slow down in reaction time for someone driving at the legal alcohol limit, and a twenty one per cent decrease for a person who has smoked cannabis.
The study was carried out on seventeen to twenty four year-olds, who are the most frequent texters. Sheila Rainger of the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) believes that this is a cohort which would benefit from targeted road safety education,
Campaigns aimed at the risks of talking while driving will simply pass them by.
Drivers speaking to RTÉ News in Dublin city centre acknowledged that have been guilty of texting while driving.
I'm afraid I did yesterday. Shouldn’t have.
I try and keep it at bay...it’s so dangerous.
The Road Safety Authority of Ireland says that anyone who texts while driving is four times more likely to be involved in a road traffic accident.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 18 September 2008. The reporter is Sharon Tobin.
