Texting while Driving in the Headlights

(CBS)  On a makeshift test track in Washington, teenage drivers are learning a valuable lesson, CBS News correspondent Daniel Sieberg reports.

17-year-old Joseph James was confident about his multi-tasking abilities, until his instructor drove him to distraction. "It was challenging. I wasn't expecting what she threw at me," said James. "Between the shifting me into neutral the texting, the cell phone call, it was a lot to handle."

The federal government will host a major summit Wednesday on the dangers of distracted driving. Teens may be the worst offenders. But we're all at risk.

One prominent study revealed that texting or using a cell phone while driving is as debilitating as having a blood alcohol level of .08 percent, legally drunk in most states. And distracted drivers are four times as likely to be in a serious crash.

See Daniel Sieberg's 2008 Story on Texting Here
Read Daniel Sieberg's Blog on this Story

When it comes to calls, some say hands-free devices are a safer alternative.

"We believe that it really issue the 'eyes off the road and hands off the wheel' that creates the real risk with distracted driving," said Jim Vondale, Ford's safety director.

But researchers have long warned that it's not just the physical act of using a phone but the actual conversation that is the danger. The brain actually reduces visual activity, especially peripheral vision, when engaged in a phone conversation.

As for texting -- a CBS News/New York Times pollshows 90 percent of those surveyed think texting while driving should be illegal. Yet among younger people, some 16 percent think it should be allowed.

The big question, though, are Americans changing their behavior?

Only 63 percent of those surveyed said they'd abide by laws that regulate cell phone use in cars.

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood says enforcement must improve. "We've done it with seat belts where enforcement is very strong now, and I think we'll get to it with texting also."

Joseph James got the message.

"I will not be distracted when I drive. I will keep my eyes on the road, notice other drivers. I want to avoid that accident," he said.

Experts agree, the real solution lies in our own hands.

[davidbthelen]

As a parent, riding passenger while my kids are driving, I see another problem not being addressed besides texting while driving. Young drivers also like to mess around with their I-pods, changing songs that can be listened to on the car?s radio. They have to look down at the I-pod, before changing to the song they want.
When it comes to teen?s texting while driving, the following may be a solution. First, parents and their kids need to watch effective PSAs why one should not text while driving. Second, parents and their kids should enter a contract why one should not drive while distracted and their consequences. Third, to help their kids from even getting tempted to text while driving, perhaps parents could do the following.
Parents could block time frames for text message service to their child?s cell phone. Parents can set up time frames for when their kids will be driving to and from a football game or to and from school, for example. Plus perhaps add 30 minutes on either side of the estimated time frame. Parents simply need to contact their cell phone provider for instructions to do this. Parents could explain to their kids this may be necessary to prevent any temptations for texting while driving.
Some cell phone providers may require an extra fee for this service.
Finally, getting back to the I-pod use in the car. Perhaps PSAs should be run for teens on the dangers of using the i-pod in the car. Perhaps the use of I-pods should be banned in cars without hands free equipment. Does any one know of any high tech equipment or other creative way (besides just banning it) to run an I-pod in the car hands free. So young drivers are not tempted to fiddle with it while driving?