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Sep 01, 2009 -- Dangers of texting while driving

Have you seen the popular viral video that dramatizes the dangers of texting while driving? (Editor's note: This video contains blood and gore to get the point across. Viewer discretion is advised.)

Remember, just because your Crackberry is vibrating, it doesn't mean you have to look at it. The dangers of doing so are off the charts.

A Virginia Tech study on truck drivers find they are 23 times more likely to be in an accident when texting.

People take their eyes off the road for 5 seconds to read the average text. During that time, a vehicle moving at highway speeds can travel the length of a football field, according to the Governor's Highway Safety Association.

Think about how much territory you'll cover in that short time. All you need is a sudden stop in traffic or someone to change lanes to spell disaster.

The New York Times also reports that Utah now has a new law that will send texters involved in fatal auto accidents to prison for 15 years. It's very easy to subpoena a cell phone company and check your account to see if you were texting.

Let's face it, most everybody who has a smartphone looks at it while driving. When Clark got his first phone with e-mail capabilities, he read them all the time while he drove. It took a near collision with a jogger to make him change his ways.

Unfortunately, Clark won't be able to answer any questions submitted via commenting. If you have a question, please try posting it to our message boards.

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What others are saying

  • Driver's texting while driving
    Why don't we get the insurance companies together and suggest that teens and adults from 16 to 25 who do not get into an accident receive $20.00 every three months. If they do, that payment will be dismissed for a full year. Knowing they will receive money may detour them from texting and/or taling on their cell phone.
  • LOL
    What a waste of time for local, state and federal governments, to legislate an unenforceable law for unteachable idiots. One day I drove around my city which has about a 120k population. I was going to count the number of people who were on their cellphones as safely as I could just to get an idea of how many are really using them while driving. I lost count within 5-10 minutes being almost every other driver was on their phone. Men, women, old, young, caravan moms, SUV goofs, lil green car people, police officers, even a post office and UPS driver. Trying to ban something that stupid people will do no matter what is ridiculous. What's next, banning car stereos, eating, looking at a map? I understand the concern, what I don't understand is the belief that this law will help anyone.
  • Eating, music, screaming kids, etc.
    Let's outlaw all of them while driving! I say we outlaw drive-thru's while we are at it, or mcdonalds should be held responsible if someone has an accident while driving and eating! We should also ban radios in cars since changing a radio station causes the driver to look away from the road. And lets also require gags for children riding in these cars! Anyone that has ever eaten in a car, changed a radio station, or allowed their child to make any noise is an idiot who needs to be in jail!
  • Texting
    On the way to work today saw a lady who had her dog on her lap while she was driving - the dog was licking her face! So she is driving her huge SUV at 75 mph while this is happening - at least she wasn't texting!
  • while driving
    I can't believe Clark would be so stupid as to read his phone while driving, it shouldn't have taken a near accident to make him stop. Anyone that reads or texts while driving doesn't have any common sense.
  • Texting while driving
    IMO only an idiot would send test messages while driving. There is not a jail big enough to bury someone under who causes a fatal accident while doing this.
  • Driving and texting/using a cell phone should be a crime
    There is no reason to drive and text or use a cellphone at the same time. The only exception being a 9-1-1 call. A person should pull over or wait before even thinking about doing either one. And if a person is caught texting or talking while driving they should face the same penalties as a DUI or reckless driver would. I don't care what kind of business a person does while he/she drives. The cell phone should be off-limits or the person should stop and place the vehicle in "Park".
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