Watch Out, It May be Your Last Text from Your Car

Texting may be a killer app on mobile phones, but it can actually kill drivers who text while driving. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that distracted driving is the number one killer of American teens. Nearly 500,000 young adults each year are injured due to various forms of distracted driving, including texting while driving.

With recent studies citing that mobile distractions such as texting can be even more dangerous than drinking and driving, parents are looking for answers on how to best educate and promote responsible mobile phone use to their teens.

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As part of her role in the LG Text Ed campaign, an educational program aimed at parents, actress Jane Lynch shot a series of entertaining and educational videos for LG Mobile Phones about mobile phone misuse. (Read and Watch: Jane Lynch Says No to Texting While Driving)

Moreover, Verizon Wireless and the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) launched the “Danger Thumbs” campaign to make the state’s roads safer by urging young Florida drivers to stop texting on their wireless phones when behind the wheel. (Read: Danger Thumbs Campaign to Target Texting Drivers)

Meanwhile, a new application aims to address distracted driving problem with eyes- and hands-free text messaging on mobile phones. Boston-based AdelaVoice launched StartTalking, claimed to be the world’s first smartphone application that lets motorists keep their eyes on the road and hands upon the wheel. (Read and Watch: Talk to Your Mobile for Texting While Driving)

Research shows that sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes off the road for nearly five seconds. At highway speeds, that’s enough time to travel the length of a football field.

As a result, texting while driving is a habit that can be as dangerous as drunk driving. To help address this issue, the Ad Council, in partnership with NHTSA and the State Attorneys General, has launched the national “Stop the Texts. Stop the Wrecks.” texting and driving public service advertising campaign.

In today’s world, young adults juggle a mountain of tasks and responsibilities—from school, to work, social schedules, community service, sports and family responsibilities. Though cell phones are great tools to help manage these tasks and keep in touch with people, many young adults are also making the decision to use their phones while driving.

You can learn more about the risks of texting and driving at StopTextsStopWrecks.org.