Texting Spells Danger
by Suzanne Hadley Gosselin on 09/23/2008 at 5:21 AM
I think I may be a text-aholic.
Last week I discovered that in three days I had sent and received more than 200 text messages. That's too many! If you think that's bad (and maybe you don't because you're a text-aholic, too), consider the texting habits of the average American teen. According to Nielsen, Americans 13 to 17 years old send and receive an average of 1,742 text messages a month.
According to an article in the New York Times, this rise in text messaging is leading to serious accidents:
Though there are no official casualty statistics, there is much anecdotal evidence that the number of fatal accidents stemming from texting while driving, crossing the street or engaging in other activities is on the rise.
In the latest backlash against text-messaging, the California Public Utilities Commission announced an emergency measure on Thursday temporarily banning the use of all mobile devices by anyone at the controls of a moving train.
The ban was adopted after federal investigators announced that they were looking at the role that a train engineer's text-messaging might have played here last week in the country's most deadly commuter rail accident in four decades.
Sending and receiving text messages seems so harmless (many teens claim they can do it blindfolded), but the fact is that it's distracting. It's also growing in popularity:
In June, 75 billion text messages were sent in the United States, compared with 7.2 billion in June 2005, according to CTIA — the Wireless Association, the leading industry trade group.
And millions (at least) of those text messages are created while someone is behind the wheel. A nationwide insurance survey of 1,503 drivers found that nearly 40 percent of those respondents from 16 to 30 years old said they text while driving. That's you, Boundless readers. I've done it, but I'm going to stop. It's not worth hurting someone.
"The act of texting automatically removes 10 I.Q. points," said Paul Saffo, a technology trend forecaster in Silicon Valley. "The truth of the matter is there are hobbies that are incompatible. You don't want to do mushroom-hunting and bird-watching at the same time, and it is the same with texting and other activities. We have all seen people walk into parking meters or walk into traffic and seem startled by oncoming cars."
1. khalil said the following at 5:31 AM on Sep 23:
The obvious and easy solution is to not text while driving or doing anything that requires attention.
2. Brenna Kater, the Ocean Skater said the following at 7:22 AM on Sep 23:
Wow, that's a lot of text messages!
3. obewan said the following at 7:30 AM on Sep 23:
Great. Now I have one more thing to worry and get upset about in traffic. I already get up tight about the cell phone users. I wish they would just hang up and drive. Now when I am at traffic lights, it sometimes takes 3 mins for the traffic in front of me to start moving when the light turns green. I frequently see people in front leaned over looking down away from the light. They must be texting! I usually makes me honk my horn, and then I feel bad for losing my temper.
4. Rachael said the following at 7:31 AM on Sep 23:
Wow, 1,742 text messages per month. Amazing. I rarely text now and do not feel so proficient with doing so on my cell phone here, though I used to text more often in Japan for a couple years. I do, however, use the internet too much.
Makes me think of my future children and wonder what technological issues I'll have to deal with them that I didn't have to deal with as a child. I did use the internet later in my youth, but it was a lot later, and before the internet we had Juno e-mail where we sent the e-mail in a more manual-ish way.
I hope the exposure my kids have to TV, movies, computer & other technology will be quite controlled and limited in their younger years at least. When they're older, they can make their decisions, but I don't want them to become too dependent on technology so young. At the same time, that must be hard if their friends are so engaged w/ technology.
There just might be technological challenges in parenting. I didn't get my first cell phone until I was probably 22, in 2002. But to think kids have cell phones at young ages is something to think about...there could definitely be advantages (calling when they need to be picked up, emergencies), but, hmmm....something to think about anyway. My instinct reaction now would be for them to not get one until they can buy it themselves. Hope there's no big disagreements about technology in the future with the kids.
Technology can be great and useful, but its abuse can also be hugely damaging and hindering...
5. Mary Beth said the following at 7:38 AM on Sep 23:
Some of my friends are text-aholics too. One of them even drove on the interstate for an hour while having a text conversation with a friend. Texting can be nice - its like an instant message - but I have a problem with my friends who text when I'm talking with them. When you are sitting in person with someone and having a conversation and they get a text - what they do shows me the value they put on my conversation. Many of my friends will respond right away - while I am talking - to their text. I have to say it makes me feel devalued when they do that; it makes the person you are sitting next to while you text less important.
6. Jacob said the following at 7:47 AM on Sep 23:
I don't like texting. I think it is a shallow form of communication that is not only proving to be a big distraction, but is also a serious threat to effective, intelligent communication.
7. Kathryn said the following at 9:17 AM on Sep 23:
it's already illegal in Australia. In fact, I couple of months ago I went through a breathalyser stop* and was changing songs on my mp3 player and the police officer told me off for fiddling with it as I stopped to be breathalysed.
*These breathalysing "booze buses" are common on Friday and Saturday nights on major roads to catch those driving drunk.
8. Kate said the following at 9:51 AM on Sep 23:
As much as there is scientific evidence (cognitive psychology) to show how/why talking on the phone while driving is dangerous, I can partly see why we would feel like it it harmless while driving down a straight, flat interstate that has few cars on it...
But TEXTING? I can't believe anyone would ever feel like this was ok and we'd need danger warnings and laws to learn about how dangerous it was.
Not only does it take way more physical coordination to text than talk, but I'd imagine it takes more of the mind's cognitive capacity for language than even talking on the phone, since you have to translate language and thought into written word... which is less direct than verbal.
Anything that takes up your brain's operation capacity decreases your ability to scan your surroundings for hazards and to react quickly and appropriately... therefore increasing your danger on the road.
Personal story: Another pedestrian and I were almost hit by a woman speeding a huge blue van through a busy, cramped downtown who was turning left through a light, obviously not checking for pedestrians in the middle of a crosswalk with the walk signal as she approached her turn. Why? She was TEXTING. If this man and I had not jumped out of her way, we would have been hit. The worst part is that she didn't even see us as we were jumping out of her way.
9. Tami said the following at 10:08 AM on Sep 23:
If I see someone driving erratically or rudely, I'll look over. Sure enough, they have a cell phone in their hands... and my state outlawed that several months ago.
I can't even imagine what would possess someone to *text message* as they drove. Saffo is right about the distractability factor. Driving takes skill. And typing on those itty bitty pads takes skill, too. Do one or the other. If you really *must* text, for the sake of yourself and others, PULL OVER.
10. farmer Tom said the following at 11:46 AM on Sep 23:
First, I readily admit to being an old geezer, a fuddy duddy, a has been and a loser.
But, could one of you geniuses explain to me what it is about texting that makes it so popular.
I understand that this is an old and quaint idea. But I use my cell phone to talk to people. Do you dislike these people so much that you do not want to have an actual conversation with them? What exactly is the purpose of texting anyway, to avoid all human contact if possible?
See I'm not opposed to technology, I even post on this blog and use a cell phone, but come on people, maybe the reason you can't get a date is that you don't know how to communicate with a live human being face to face.
11. farmer Tom said the following at 11:54 AM on Sep 23:
6. Jacob,
Amen,
My lovely wife just said to me. "I would equate texting as a form of communication on the same level equal with the grunts and hand gestures of apes, or cavemen."
Maybe some of you need to work on your communication skills and try actually talking to people.
12. Kathleen said the following at 11:54 AM on Sep 23:
I stopped texting while driving a few months ago. Decided it wasn't a great idea...
13. Leah said the following at 12:39 PM on Sep 23:
Texting can be useful. I work with youth at my church, and texting serves as the best way to get a hold of them and/or inform them of changes to schedules and events. Also, we just went through Hurricane IKE in Hosuton, and texting was the only way that we could communicate with people. Cell phone reception was not strong enough to have calls, and alot of land lines were down. Texting while driving is not the safest thing to do, but I'd be lying if i said i didn't do it.
Safety should obviously be first, but texting as a whole has become a quite useful tool to me and those that i know.
14. Leeandra said the following at 1:03 PM on Sep 23:
@Jacob--I don't like people being glued to texting, either, but it has two distinct advantages over talking on a cell phone:
1. It uses up less bandwidth. During hurricane Katrina evacuation and right afterwards, it was extremely hard to get through to anyone with a New Orleans cell phone number (and impossible to get through on a New Orleans landline). Text messages, however, got through just fine.
2. People who are deaf/hard-of-hearing now have a cheap and easy way of using the telephone.
15. DannieA said the following at 2:23 PM on Sep 23:
texting is the only way to sometimes communicate with people after a crisis such as the earthquake we had in the summer (although not quite crisis status at all!!!) or hurricane (the only way I could communicate with my friend in Texas after Ike) or....well you get the idea.
CA has a hands free law so you don't see that many people with cell phones to their ear anymore (unless they are trying to hide it) but since there is a loophole in the law that ONLY allows for TALKING people are now texting while driving since it's actually not part of the measure
lovely huh?
16. farmer Tom said the following at 3:03 PM on Sep 23:
1. It uses up less bandwidth.
What is the emergency in the last three days that causes someone to send or receive 200 text messages??
What to have for lunch?
2. People who are deaf/hard-of-hearing now have a cheap and easy way of using the telephone.
So half the American population is deaf?
Who knew??
17. Rupert said the following at 3:19 PM on Sep 23:
Practice safe text!
18. Colin said the following at 3:58 PM on Sep 23:
After making a quick online check, I found that I had sent 324 text messages in the last four days, or roughly 2400 a month. Guess if I like texting or not. . . . ;)
19. K.L. said the following at 5:01 PM on Sep 23:
Well, I am definitely in a minority according to the statistics. I'm 18, and I'd say I only text an average of twice per month. Seriously. The main reason is because I don't have a texting plan, and quite frankly, I really don't care. I really don't have that much to say to people 24/7, and I'm not very good at texting anyway. My thumbs just don't move like that. :)
Oh, and Mary Beth (#5), I can totally relate. I hate it when friends do that. It bugs me when they sit there and talk on the phone too. Like, do you really have to take every call? Why can't people just say, "I'm sorry, this isn't a good time. I'll call you back later",??? I just don't get it. Either our parents aren't teaching us good manners anymore, or we just ignore them.
20. Adam D. said the following at 8:50 PM on Sep 23:
You know it's weird, and maybe it's just me, but people were able to communicate before text-messaging, and before cell phones.
There was a brief intermittent period where I also would text a certain special girl. After awhile I got sick of it because I just wanted to talk to her but she liked to text. I want to be able to hear someone's voice, not just read some shallow drivel.
21. Molly said the following at 9:11 PM on Sep 23:
14. Leeandra,
I agree with you. Not all people text to avoid converstation. I'm profoundly deaf and being able to text my friends and family has given me a great peace of mind and independence. Otherwise I'd be asking random strangers to call for me which I used to do in the past.
22. James said the following at 9:51 AM on Sep 24:
Some folks text back when they get a text in, and this can happen while driving very easilly.
Now, I don't text while driving for the same reason I don't read a book while driving: my mind and eyes are off of the road and concentrating on data absorption from the text.
However, what one CAN do is if you receive a text that needs a response then don't hit "reply", instead hit that little green "send" button and CALL THE TEXTER BACK! You can then keep your eyes on the road (and both hands if you're using a hands-free or blue-tooth headset like you ought to, and which you HAVE to use if you're in CA now).
I personally think that texting-addicts need help. They don't just do it in unsafe areas, but in situations where it's rude and impolite to do so as well....like at social functions when other might want to be talking to that person but can't because they're busy texting their cousin in another state, etc. It's rude, inconsiderate and aggivating as ALL. Like, when I'm swing dancing and I see a lovely lady who I would like to dance with, nothing sucks more than going up to her (when she's not engaged in conversation with someone else) and asking "would you like to dance" and recieving, "Sorry, I'm texting right now." And then seeing her text most of the evening. My mindset is, "If you were going to text all evening then why pay come and pay money to come dancing if all you were going to do is sit on your bum!" ARGHH! People in the real world would LIKE people addicted to texting to get out of their bubble and come join us. It's the same thing we'd like World of Warcraft users to do too. In fact, both are symptoms of the SAME problem.
23. Leeandra said the following at 9:55 AM on Sep 24:
@farmer Tom--Chill out, buddy. I wasn't defending overuse of texting (anymore than constantly being glued to the cell phone and oblivious to the world around you); I was just pointing out two legitimate reasons I'm very, very grateful texting exists.
24. Holly (single, non-parent one) said the following at 12:30 PM on Sep 24:
Tom,
Texting serves as a way to communicate silently. That's probably the most useful aspect. I often use it while babysitting to carry on a conversation. Total silence, as opposed to talking that may wake the children up. I have also used it in the library and in line at grocery stores and Wal-mart, because it's much less obtrusive to those around me to see me texting than to hear my half of a conversation.
There's also the way that it makes it very easy to show or tell someone you are thinking of them. Due to the nature of my job, Wednesdays are bad days. I've received four texts this morning from friends with either a joke or a funny picture attached. Each took them less than 60 seconds to send and took me less than 10 seconds to read, but the resulting increase in my positive output today has been massive. I even got enough done to take an actual lunch hour and read Boundless. :)
Lastly, I often use it when delivering information that would require a pen if communicating by speech. If you're driving somewhere and need the phone number of your destination, I would text you that number rather than call you and have you pull over and write it down.
I agree with your premise that talking is better most of the time, but it is an extremely useful tool for certain types of communicating.
25. BDB said the following at 2:11 PM on Sep 24:
Leandra (#14) wrote:
>>2. People who are deaf/hard-of-hearing now have a cheap and easy way of using the telephone. <<
I'm just waiting for some news outlet to run stories about deaf/heard of hearing people who are glued to their blackberry and walk into traffic...it will probably happen around Gallaudet if if hasn't already.
26. Suzanne said the following at 3:22 PM on Sep 24:
Farmer Tom: Ouch.
27. farmer Tom said the following at 4:59 PM on Sep 24:
@farmer Tom--Chill out, buddy.
One of the things I most dislike about blogging, is the impossibility of everyone to understand that I was being sarcastic.
I simply find texting to be overused by people who would be better served doing something else with their time.
I'm glad it has beneficial uses to those like Molly(great name, one of my daughters is named that). I just find the whole thing to be an overused fad which means that ten years from now it will be some new fad and those who were texting will be doing some other faddish thing.
28. Leah said the following at 5:53 PM on Sep 24:
200 in three days?!
Let's put it this way: whenever I recharge (coz I'm on prepaid) I only recharge by $30. It usually lasts the two months it's valid for.
Colin: 324 in four days? How? Just, HOW?
People need to realise that generally (it does depend on your plan/pre-paid account) once you've exchanged more than 2 txts with a person, you've spent more money than a quick phone call. So, for example...
*ring ring, ring ring*
"Hello?"
"Hey Joe, it's Sally, did I leave my chemistry notes at your place on the weekend?"
"I haven't seen them round sorry."
"Oh, ok. Can you check with your roommate?"
"No problem! You might want to check with Julie too."
"Oh, good idea. Ok, I'll see you round then."
"Ok then, bye."
Would be cheaper than...
hey joe, did i leave my chem notes at ur place?
haven't seen them soz.
ok, could you check with ur roommate?
no probs. check w/ julie too.
good idea, thnx 4 that.
Of course, like i said, if you're on a plan where you get free or very cheap texts, then the text conversation would be cheaper.
Kathleen and Leah - in Australia it's illegal to talk/text on your mobile phone while driving.
farmer Tom - texting, for short messages, is cheaper than a phone call. Say for example I'm running late for something, I can text someone and say "Hey I'm going to be about 10 minutes late". That would be cheaper than a phone call to say the same thing. (However, as I said above, when it becomes a full-blown conversation it's often more expensive).
Also, if I try to call someone and they don't answer and they don't have voicemail, then I will text them instead to make sure they receive my message. Or if I get voicemail and I know that person is unlikely to check their voicemail (which also annoys me), then I'll text them instead.
And if your wife thinks texting is the same as male grunts or whatever, she obviously hasn't had much experience with it. See, with male grunts, half the population (women!) can't understand what you're on about. Texting, on the other hand, is simply often a cheaper alternative to talking if it's a quick message. I don't believe the human interaction required for "Hi Joe, just letting you know I'll be a bit late" is terribly substantial or beneficial, so I don't think you're losing anything in sending a text message instead.
obewan- that's not losing your temper. It's telling them to start paying attention and get a move on.
29. Emily said the following at 8:45 PM on Sep 24:
I'm a teacher. Forget spit wads, passing notes, or cheat sheets, texting is the latest sneaky way to avoid paying attention to class. A teacher caught a student today and she had sent a text message every minute for the past 20 minutes. During class. They can look straight at you and still be texting. I had one who was texting in her jacket pocket. The fear of how mad your friend will be if you don't reply is greater than the fear that the teacher will catch you. Suddenly it's not just a teacher you ignore, but somehow the person you are texting becomes more important than the person you're spending time with. I floored a kid the other day when I was talking to them and chose to ignore my phone so we could finish our conversation. It's like they have no concept of how rude it is to text while talking. Oh, texting has its uses. But I really preferred my life before somebody came up with the idea.
30. Jaimie said the following at 8:32 AM on Sep 25:
Okay, but how many other things do people do while driving that are just as dangerous...things that we all do. I grew up watching my mom apply makeup while driving--everything from eyeliner to lipstick. Or what about eating while driving? Have you ever seen someone eating a Big Mac while having trying to drive?
I also don't see how talking on your phone while driving is different from talking with someone who is in the car with you. I have a Bluetooth and voice dialing. I carry on a conversation with someone the same way I would if they were in the car.
Texting is a different matter. I've tried it some but its a lot harder than just dialing a phone. It requires more attention--especially when you're using T9.
31. BDB said the following at 11:50 AM on Sep 25:
Sounds like the California governor signed legislation this morning making texting illegal while driving. Apparenly even reading e-mail at a stoplight is illegal. That doesn't sound like driving to me, but anyway...
32. BDB said the following at 11:53 AM on Sep 25:
Leah (#28) wrote:
>>See, with male grunts, half the population (women!) can't understand what you're on about. <<
And with texting, it's only people over 30 who d/k what UR saying.
33. Tami said the following at 12:52 PM on Sep 25:
Jaimie (30) -- my thought on how cell conversations differ from a conversation with someone in the car is that when you are on a cell phone (again... I *still* see them held in hand frequently, even though it's illegal where I live!), you are distracted by the conversation AND by the device itself.
34. Leah said the following at 6:50 PM on Sep 25:
BDB- my parents text me no problem, and they're both over 40. You don't have to use the short text language to text. It's not texting that older people don't understand- it's the abbreviated language they don't understand.
Not to mention, a text is only going to one person who will understand it anyway.
Jaimie- oh, in Australia you're allowed to talk on your phone if you have a hands-free kit. It's not the talking that they think is distracting, it's holding the phone so you're only controlling the wheel with one hand (and possibly restricting your vision).
While I'll completely agree that putting makeup on is distracting while driving, I don't think it's as bad as texting (or even phone calling if you're holding the phone). It's usually pretty quick, and most people I see do it, do it at a stop-light. A phone conversation can be several minutes long.
Emily - most schools in Australia now have made it a rule that phones must be turned off during school hours, and if you're busted, it gets confiscated. Most kids aren't stupid enough to pull theirs out in class anymore.
35. Texas Craig said the following at 8:00 PM on Sep 25:
FWIW, texting is here to stay. It is basically just portable email or instant messaging. It is often more convenient to text instead of call - particularly if you are trying to "carry on" conversations with multiple people on different topics, or if you are in a setting where it would be disruptive to be talking. (for example, attorneys in a courtroom)
Now, I am not defending the "impersonal nature" of texting, but I think that, like computers, email, cell phones, etc., it is here to stay. (Personally, though, I really do not use it much.)
36. Leah said the following at 2:14 PM on Sep 26:
honestly??? this article's purpose was to discuss the hazardous of texting while driving...not to prove why texting is useless, or should not be done, or rude. I TEXT ALOT. (just this month i sent almost 3,500) Texting is not "horrible". And it is not a generational thing...our entire staff uses texting as a means to communicate. It helps get a simple message out to people that they may not have been able to get other wise. It can be rude, but everything has to be done tastefully. Calling someone, or taking a phone call while your driving in the car or with someone else can be rude. The same goes with texting.
Clearly I'm not going to ignore my boss and pull out my phone and start texting while he's talking. If i'm with my best friend and i get a message...we're close enough that i can do that if i need to respond. I guess it all depends on the person.
YES, i know i am a textaholic. it works for me... :-)
37. BDB said the following at 5:03 PM on Sep 26:
Leah (#34) wrote:
>>You don't have to use the short text language to text. <<
Perhaps that explains why people chide me for texting complete sentences...
38. Leah said the following at 5:53 PM on Sep 29:
BDB- hey, I can't control what your friends say or do. Don't take it out on me.
I use short(er) language when texting, but not as bad as many others. It keeps it cheaper. I know a lot of people who use much shorter abbreviations than me, and I know others who use very few.
To the other Leah: can you please add some sort of identifying thing about your name, perhaps a surname initial? I've been frequenting this blog for as long as it's existed and people know who I am and my views on things, and I don't want them thinking you're me or vice versa... thanks :)
39. jason said the following at 12:27 AM on Oct 1:
200 txt in a 3 days. lol haha i txt that in less then half a day.
40. angie said the following at 8:51 PM on Oct 12:
I accidentally sent a text message ABOUT the guy I'm crazy about TO the guy I'm crazy about. Talk about a fatal error!
41. Tami said the following at 12:01 PM on Oct 13:
Sorry to hijack the topic, but I concur with Leah's plea for clarity on the names. I see it happened with Louise recently, too... and there was another "tami" (I called her "lower-case tami") on here a little while back.
I guess that's one of the drawbacks of not really registering to comment on the blog. Quite obviously, people will have similar first names, and it's natural that they'll actually want to use them. :)
Ted, is there a way to register for unique user names w/o significant trouble or cost on your end?
42. BDB said the following at 12:14 PM on Oct 13:
Tami (#41) wrote:
>>Sorry to hijack the topic, but I concur with Leah's plea for clarity on the names.<<
That's one advantage of initials...
Though there is someone posting with my father's initials, which threw me for a minute...