Attention Oregon Motorists: Texting While Driving May Be As Dangerous as Drunk Driving
In an effort to reduce auto collisions and injuries, many states have banned the use of cell phones while driving. Washington passed its law this summer, and California has a law in place. I searched the Oregon statutes, and the only law I can find is one that prohibits local governments from passing their own cell phone laws.
Anyone with a teenager knows how big text messaging has become. I recently read an article on line that reported on a United Kingdom study on reaction times and text messaging. The study found that text messaging while driving may be even more dangerous than driving drunk. Subjects that were text messaging while driving suffered a 35% drop in reaction time compared to those tested while driving at the legal alcohol limit, who lost only 12% reaction time. Even test subjects under the influence of marijuana retained a better reaction time than the text messaging drivers.
There are plenty of news stories reporting car wrecks and injuries due to an inattentive driver on a cell phone. I can recall at least two cases in recent years where a driver on the phone was distracted and caused an injury. Perhaps the Oregon Legislature needs to step to the plate on this issue.
