is texting as lethal as driving while intoxicated?
Texting behind the wheel is more dangerous than driving while under the influence of alcohol or cannabis, researchers said Thursday. Research carried out on young drivers (aged 17-24) using a simulator found that reaction time slowed by 35% when they were writing or reading text messages while driving. In comparison, reaction time deteriorated by 21% for those under the influence of cannabis, and by 12% at the legal alcohol limit. Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) — which carried out the study for the RAC Foundation — also found that steering control worsened by 91% for those who were distracted by texts, compared to 35% when cannabis was involved. The tests also showed that texters were less able to maintain safe distances from other cars and they tended to drift out of their lane more often. RAC Foundation director Stephen Glaister said the research “clearly shows that a motorist who is texting is significantly more impaired than a motorist at the legal limit for alcohol.” TRL re
