Drivers take text messaging to the road

by Joe P on August 13, 2008

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I love me a good survey. Not only do I like to see the results, but I also like to see any flaws in methodology. Today, we’ll talk about a new survey by FindLaw, regarding text messaging while driving. Unsurprisingly, nearly half — 48 percent — of drivers age 18 to 24 have sent a text message while driving. That number declines as you go up the age scales. Over a quarter, 27 percent, of those age 25 to 34 are guilty. That drops to 19 percent for 35 to 44, 11 percent for 45-54, two percent for 55-64, and one percent for 65 and up. However, I’m wondering if the phrasing of the question in this case might lead to skewed results.

The article makes it seem like they asked if someone had ever text messaged while driving. From the first line of the article: “Nearly half of US drivers between ages 18 and 24 say they have sent a text message, instant message or e-mail while driving.”

How does this make a difference? I’ll use a personal example. I fall into the second group, 25 to 34. Yes, I have sent text messages while driving. But not while I was in the 25 to 34 age group. When I was young and stupid, yeah, I sent text messages while operating a motor vehicle. Now, though? Not so much. So if they asked had I ever done so, I would have to say yes, and a tick would be put in the 25 to 34 demographic, though it might not be accurate.

This is not a laughing matter, though. It seems so easy to cause an accident while you’re looking down at your keyboard and screen, using one hand to type and keeping one hand, and sometimes no eyes, on the road. The penalties for being in an accident while texting could also be grave, even in states which do not specifically ban the practice (Alaska, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Washington do).

“The potential legal implications of texting while driving go far beyond the possibility of a mere traffic violation,” said Stephanie Rahlfs, an attorney at FindLaw.com. “In the case of a traffic accident, proof that the driver was texting while driving may be used to help prove liability for the accident, even in states that do not ban texting while driving.”

So, do you text and drive?

Filed under : Text Messaging