Text Messaging: Worse Than Drunk Driving?

Would you rather ride in a vehicle driven by someone who has had 6 beers and 3 whiskeys, or someone who is a compulsive texting addict? I think I’d rather take my chances with the bar fly, at least you know he’ll keep his eyes on the road, more or less.

I recently saw a guy speeding down a highway in Ontario who appeared to be dead. His head was lolling to one side and his eyes seemed to be fixed on the floor of the car. However, despite some minor maneuvering, his vehicle managed to stay on a more or less straight path, implying that he was alive and sailing, presumably squinting to the side while texting the boss or possibly a possible appointment.

Many American and Canadian drivers engage in this risky behavior. According to a survey on the subject, 91% of Americans believe that texting while driving is as dangerous as driving after a few drinks. However, 57% confess that they do it regularly.

It’s bad enough frantically thumbing through messages while trying to navigate rush hour traffic, but people also routinely read emails and even browse porn while behind the wheel. I wouldn’t want to be the backseat passenger in a vehicle when the driver sees a hot photo of Jenna Jameson and momentarily fixates as a tractor-trailer speeds around the curve.

Devices of any kind that divide attention are not a good idea while driving. Male drivers who shave behind the wheel while using the rearview mirror as a visual aid are also a hazard. Worse perhaps than the shave-and-messenger types, are those female drivers putting on makeup behind the wheel.

I saw a woman in Toronto eat a hamburger while applying mascara. She had burgers and fries to go on the dashboard, and between bites of cheeseburgers she’d walk over to the vanity mirror and squint as she applied her mascara. At one point, she managed to drive with an elbow while she made a complicated change of food and makeup bag. When her vehicle got too close to mine as we approached Gardner Expressway, I leaned hard on the horn. Instead of acknowledging that she was in danger of losing control of her vehicle while she was operating her vanity on wheels, she pointed her finger at me.

Texting while driving is more popular with a younger demographic. About 65% of those who admitted to messaging were between the ages of 18 and 34, while only 6% were 55 or older.

No matter how old or young, how hungry or horny or aesthetically challenged, don’t do it. Follow the advice of Seven Little Girls, a one-off hit from Paul Evans and the Curls…

Keep your mind on your driving

Keep your hands on the wheel

Keep your prying eyes on the road ahead