Texas Driver Safety and Training

While a lot of people felt letdown when Governor Rick Perry vetoed the texting-while-driving bill in Texas earlier this month, there is still hope that it may become a reality. Federal legislation wants to ban the use of hand-held phones and other devices while driving. They have introduced a new legislation called the Safe Drivers Act of 2011 that would have the Transportation Department introduce a nationwide standard to prohibit drivers from using their mobile devices while driving.

"Driving while making a phone call, texting or using apps can be dangerous as driving drunk, and much more common," says Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, D-N.Y.

The legislation only covers hand-held phones in its definition of what is prohibited. Other devices such as voice-operated, vehicle-integrated, or hands-free devices that allow the use of the device with minimal button-pressing are still allowed.

States that do not comply with the new standard within two years would be penalized by having 25 percent of their federal highway funding withheld.

Other than prohibiting drivers from operating their mobile devices, the legislation also requires the Transportation Department to conduct a study on distracted driving. In particular, they would want the department to focus on “cognitive distraction”, which involves finding out if hands-free devices still pose as yet another distraction for drivers.

Tom Craddick, the author of House Bill 242, has also stated that though he is disappointed that the bill didn't pass, he understands that for major house bills, there is often a need for time before they become law.

Other Texas officials aren't deterred as well, with Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck eyeing to turn texting-while-driving into a Class C misdemeanor. A Class C misdemeanor usually carries a hefty fine of $500.

Only good things --- one in Texas can still hope for a distraction-free future in driving.

Labels: cognitive distractions, safe drivers act, texting, texting and driving

300-or-so students were issued "tickets" after putting on "drunk goggles" in an exercise conducted in Central Texas College. This was done before the week-long break to emphasize the dangers of distracted driving or drunk driving to students.

Conducted by the CTC Substance Abuse Resource Center, they put the UNITE Aware DUI Simulator to good use. The simulator, allows for students to maneuver a vehicle in a virtual space while emulating the effects of driving under the influence, or driving distracted. Students controlled the vehicle via gas pedals and the wheel.

Most students who tried the simulator ended up getting "tickets" for various driving mistakes, which in real life would translate to dangerous driving situations.

Students were asked to sign a pledge to not text and drive, and they were also given blue thumb rings with “NO TXTING” printed on them, to hopefully carry the message with them.

During the 9 AM to 3 PM activity, the CTC Substance Abuse Resource Center reports that the turnout for this year surpassed the numbers last year. Which is considered a good result --- it means that more and more students, especially teen drivers are willing to learn about driving safety.

Labels: distracted driving, driving under the influence, drunk driving, texting, texting and driving, traffic tickets

In today's world, there's technology we can have in our cars that could allow us to function there perfectly, such as in-car DVDs and some people have even gone to the extent as to having microwaves in their cars! But when it comes to cell phones, there are more gadgets and gizmos out there than any other in-car accessory on the market. But whether you use hands free kits or not, it's important you know the risks of driving and using a cell phone, hands-free or not.

Amazingly, 83% of teenagers in America admit to talking on their cell phone while driving, and 68% of teens to texting, but only 43% said they were actually confident in their driving ability while talking, even less when it came to texting while driving.

Studies conducted from the University of Utah shows that when young motorists talk on cell phones, their driving suddenly compares to that of very elderly drivers. They move and react a lot slower, and end up increasing their overall risk of accident. A professor from the university described the change as "Instant Aging", 18-25 year olds begin driving like 70 year olds in a matter of seconds.

Whether you're on the phone or hands free, when you're driving it doesn't matter, you could still be putting yourself at risk. If a driver is part of a conversation, on the phone or otherwise, it will often result in problems in driving, whether it's a lapse in concentration, or driver distraction.

Research conducted in 2003 has also recently proved that motorists that talk on cell phones while driving are actually more impaired than drunk drivers. An experiment was conducted using adults aged 18-25 and 65-74 year olds, they were placed in driving simulators and were asked to talk of cell phones. It was found that the 18-25 year olds reacted a lot slower to brake lights from cars in front of them, and other every-day driving obstacles. The 65-74 year olds, were ever slower.

Drivers who speak on cell phones were an incredible 18% slower when breaking, and had a 12% greater following distance. It might not seem like a lot on paper, but when you think about it, it could make a big difference when it comes to stopping in time if a child runs out into the road.

Even in-car conversations with passengers can effect your driving. This doesn't necessarily mean you have to travel in silence, but complex and long conversations can seriously effect driver concentration the longer the conversation continues. Giving road directions can also cause concentration lapses, if you have passengers in the car with you that will be directing you, it's important to make sure they know exactly where they're going themselves, and can let you know early, giving you plenty of time to react to the direction well before you need to commit to it.

Some states in America have banned the use of cell phones while driving, but some haven't yet, it's up to you to make the right decision when it comes to cell phone use in the car. Hopefully you will be sensible and think about the effects of cell phone use and driving, because one day, your actions might not only effect just you.

Labels: cell phones, distracted driving, driving safety, teen drivers, texting