Last Text Message Before Death While Driving

Can texting kill you? Are car crashes caused by texting behind the wheels? How many people die every day due to serious texting habits? According to a study done by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, around 8 people die every day due to distracted drivers. Most of these distracted drivers were found texting behind the wheel. This is a serious form of distraction that causes most vehicle accidents. Most of the distracted drivers are 20-years or younger. Though there are plenty of awareness programs and training on how to drive safely, the number of automobile crashes is increasing. With this being said, why do young drivers risk their lives? Why are they trying to message and drive? Can the number of fatal incidents decrease with time? In this short article, you will read more about why and how the texting scenario is in America.

Is it Dangerous?

Everyone is aware of the fact that texting behind the wheel is dangerous. Driving and the smartphone doesn’t get along well. Around 50% of the drivers are tempted to send quick replies. They wish to read and reply to messages from dear ones. Plenty of drivers are under the pressure to read and respond to work-related messages. A survey revealed that 25% of the drivers want to reply to their family and friends. Around 9% focus on work-related messages. Your loved ones will expect you to be around for a very long. This is why you should understand the risks of driving and texting. To drive safely, you must turn-off or put your phone on silent.

What do people text?

A lot of people are curious to know what others text while driving. If you ask young drivers, you will come across many common responses. Here are few common answers:

• I will be home soon.
• I am running late.
• I need your address.
• I will call you back soon.
• Can I call you later?

These are a few urgent messages. But, the reality is quite different. Trying to leave some tales unsaid, can save lives. If you look back, the above messages wouldn’t mean the world. Only 20 to 30 percent of drivers consider the messages important. Regardless of the driver’s age, the messages were often sent and received by family members.

Most common phrases in final texts:

• Driving drunk.
• I'll be dead.
• I love you!

Driving Under Influence and Texting!

On the other hand, many text messages were shared by drunken drivers. Driving Under the Influence is a serious issue everywhere. All the states have severe punishments for people who drink and drive. These punishments become worse when drivers try to text or call behind wheels. Around 1/3rd of the fatal accidents in America are caused by driving under influence. A simple distraction like texting can take things to a new level. It can harm the driver, passengers, and pedestrians severely. Experts consider driving, drinking, and texting as a fatal cocktail. This is a cocktail - drivers must never taste.

Actual Fatal Text Messages Ever Sent

“Where u at.” (2009)

“I can’t discuss this now. Driving and Facebooking is not safe! Haha.” (2012)

“I love you and I’ll try to do what I can to make you happy” (2012)

“Sounds good my man, seeya soon, ill tw” (2013)

“The happy song makes me HAPPY” (2014)

Do "Responsible" Parents Text?

A survey done in 2012 revealed that many parents are found texting behind the wheels. Around 59% of teenagers have seen their mothers and fathers text and drive. Most of these parents are honest about the habit. It is quite interesting to note that 25% of the guilty drivers were women. And, the percentage of guilty men was less than 10 percent.

Will This Habit Fade Away?

With so many fatal accidents caused due to the use of phones behind the wheels, can this habit change? Around 10% of drivers revealed that texting and driving together should stop. Unfortunately, this is a difficult commitment. Only 27% are able to follow their commitment. Out of this percentage, 38% were Gen Xers and 28% were Baby Boomers. The rest were not able to stop texting and driving. It didn’t take very long before their deadly habit resumed.

A lot of baby boomers feel unsafe with drivers who text behind the wheels. Women feel extremely unsafe. This is because men are more likely to take risks than women.

The Verdict

On the whole, the number of deadly accidents caused due to texting behind the wheels is increasing. Driving is an important part of everyone’s life. Some day or the other, you are likely to drive a beautiful car. This is when you should keep your phones away and drive safe.