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Not only is texting while driving a hazard to everyone's health, it's also illegal in 39 states. In 35 of them, a police officer can pull the texting driver over and cite them without needing any other cause. Some do get nailed, but it seems there are plenty more out there that don't.
What's to be done when you find a texting driver in your path? Law enforcement folks almost universally agree: Give them a wide a berth as possible. Police often report that folks get so buried in their texting pursuits they often don't even notice when a police cruiser pulls up beside them. With their head in the proverbial clouds, they likelihood of getting clobbered by them is way to high for safety. When texting, a driver is 23 times more likely to be involved in an accident than a driver who is not texting.
Why such a high danger level? Flying along at 55 miles per hour, a vehicle travels the length of a football field in less than five seconds. That's about the amount of time it takes proficient texters to enter a message and shoot it off.
What's the best way to deal with the situation? First, don't put yourself in harms way. Trying to "spank" a texting driver by whatever means probably won't work--you're more likely to find yourself getting set up for a "road rage" incident. Better to either slow down and let the texter get way out ahead, or get on ahead of them (provided they're driving slow). In any event, when you spot a vehicle driven erratically, just assume the driver is impaired, and assume he doesn't see you. At a safe distance, report them.
Police suggest the most important part of reporting a driver in this situation is to report the driving behavior, "weaving in the lane," "driving slow," "speeding," with secondary emphasis on the texting. Providing location details like highway number and mile marker, as well as description of the vehicle with "tag number" helps too.
Did not know you could report dangerous road behavior. Who do you report them to...911?
ReplyDeleteWe followed a semi weaving all over the road for miles thru New Mexico on I-40. We dialed 911 and were transferred to the correct agency. After describing the vehicle, and where we were; the State Patrol was able to catch up with the driver and observe his behavior. Next thing the red lights came on and he was pulled over. We gave the officer the thumbs up on our way by.
ReplyDeleteGive the dispatcher as much information as possible: description of the vehicle, what road you are traveling and mile marker number.