This was an assignment to make a magazine ad with provided content about texting while driving.

1. T e x t i n g
DistractionsThe Road to Disaster
People often like to compare texting and driving
with driving while intoxicated. Interestingly
most people believe that driving while
intoxicated is much more dangerous than texting
and driving. However, studies prove that a totally
unimpaired driver can respond and begin braking
within half a second. A drunk driver needs four more
feet to begin braking. A person texting and driving
needs an astounding 70 more feet to begin braking.
There are three physiological distractions that occur
while texting and driving. The first is visual when
drivers take their eyes off the road. The second is
manual when drivers take one or more hands off the
wheel. The final distraction is cognitive, which is lack
of mental awareness.
There is an assumption that the texting and driving
epidemic greatly affects the younger generation.
This is a true assumption. Texting while driving
is generational with 37% of drivers ages 18 to 27
admitting to texting while driving. On the other hand,
only 14% of 28 to 44 year olds, and 2% of 45 to 60 year
olds, admit to texting and driving. Teens are also more
likely to drive erratically while texting which increases
the chance of hitting pedestrians or other vehicles.
Teens actually spend 10% of driving time outside of
the lane that they are supposed to be in.

2. Driving has a lot to
do with timing and
judgment. Moments
before an accident,
drivers tend to look at
their phone for at least
five seconds. This is
unbelievably enough
time to cover the length
of a football field at
typical highway speeds.
Texting while driving
can make a new driver’s
reaction time equivalent
to a 70 year old. Steering
capabilities are reduced
by an amazing 91% while
texting and driving.
Unfortunately, the grisly
statistics of texting and
driving accidents need
to be discussed to share
the severity of what can
happen. Every year
21% of fatal car crashes
of teens between the
ages of 16 and 19 were
a result of texting and
driving. Regrettably
this rate is expected
to grow by 4% each
year. In addition to
this already damaging
statistic, approximately
6,000 deaths and a half
a million of injuries are
caused by texting and
driving each year. This
means that 18 deaths
each day is due to texting
and driving. This number
is also expected to grow
each year.
More states are becoming
heavily involved in
banning cell phone
usage while driving.
Simply turning off a
cell phone or simply
muting the sound can
actually reduce the risk of
accident by texting and
driving by 50%. There
are currently 35 states
with bans on texting and
driving. This is a great
start, but lawmakers are
encouraging all states
to incorporate the ban.
Many states are going as
far as banning any type
of usage at all on cell
phones while driving.
Distracted driving
involves driving while
doing another activity
that takes your attention
away from driving.
Distracted driving
activities include
things like using a cell
phone, texting, eating,
drinking, and talking
with passengers. Using
in-vehicle technologies
(such as navigation
systems) and portable
communication devices
can also be sources of
distraction while driving.
Texting while driving
is especially dangerous
because it combines
visual, manual and
cognitive distractions.
Driving while distracted
is serious and life-
threatening, not just to
you and your passengers,
but also to others on the
road.