LAST WEEK, I wrote about how cell phones and laptops can be distractions in the classroom, hindering our ability to pay attention and learn the material. In addition, there is one other place where texting is particularly harmful to our ability to learn - in the car.
How does this harm our ability to learn, you may ask? The distraction that comes from texting while driving is one that can increase your risk of being in a car accident, which can leave you severely injured or even dead. If you are dead, you cannot really learn. Therefore, people of all ages would do well to make the lifestyle choice of refraining from texting while driving.
It may come as a surprise, but I have seen far too many individuals, mainly students, texting while driving around the Corner, Grounds and Charlottesville. Driving around Charlottesville is nerve-wracking enough as it is without having to worry about someone being too preoccupied with his phone to focus completely on his driving. For texting while driving is not only dangerous to yourself, but also your passengers, pedestrians in the surrounding area and other drivers.
According to a study published by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, and covered by The New York Times, drivers texting increases the risk of an accident 23 times. Moreover, the CTIA International Wireless Association estimates that the United States sent 196.9 billion texts in June 2011. In June 2006, only 12.5 billion texts were sent, showing just how much texting has increased. And whereas in the past texting without having to look at the phone was easier as one learned how to use his phone's keypad, many people now own touchscreen smartphones, which make sending sensible messages almost impossible without looking at the screen.
Thankfully, some solutions are being developed. About a week ago, Ford stated it would be installing a new feature in its future vehicles that would, through the use of Bluetooth technology, sync a person's cell phone messages so that the vehicle would notify the person of an incoming text, read it aloud and allow the person to reply without taking his hands off the steering wheel.
The idea is to keep people from texting while driving and hopefully prevent accidents in the future. Unfortunately, only some smartphones are compatible, notably BlackBerrys and some Android phones. As of now, iPhones cannot take advantage of this feature.
Since the likelihood of students purchasing a 2012 Ford is low, however, this is not a very plausible solution. A better solution could be to have a friend or another person in the vehicle reply to a text message for you so that you do not have to worry about taking your eyes off the road. This is one solution I use a lot, particularly if I have a friend or sibling in the car with me. It is a convenient way to get your message sent without putting yourself or others in danger.
Of course, if you are driving alone this will not work. In such a situation, I would recommend holding off until arriving at your destination or just calling the person. Talking on the phone still provides a distraction, but at least you are able to keep your eyes on the road, which is arguably better. If you absolutely must respond at that moment, try to find a place to pull over. It may be inconvenient, but it is better to be safe than sorry, and if it is important enough to respond to immediately, then pulling over should not be too big of a deal.
Despite widespread knowledge of the dangers that come from texting and driving, it is not likely the practice will go away anytime soon. I have hope, however, that students at the University will use their best judgment in the future and think before texting and driving. Resisting the temptation to text and drive is an important habit that any individual can, and should, adopt. It could mean the difference between life and death.
Bradlee Palmquist is a Viewpoint writer for The Cavalier Daily.
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