Texting while driving has been a rising cause of deaths in the past few years. Texting while driving is the act of composing, sending, reading text messages, email, or making similar use of the web on a mobile phone while operating a motor vehicle.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2017 alone, 3166 people lost their lives due to this act. Between all types of distractions, texting is the most alarming. Sending or reading a text requires your eyes for five seconds. At 55 mph, that is equivalent to driving through a football field with your eyes closed.

All age groups are affected by this distraction. Children are in jeopardy because of their parents’ inattention, and adults themselves may jeopardize the other drivers. A National Occupant Protection Use Survey deduced that “Teens are the largest group who’re at distracted fatal crashes.” The significance of this information is massive since it shows how your distraction as an adult can affect not just yourself or people of your age, but also the younger generation who are an important part of society.

Apart from the worst, there are a few other problems you’re causing too. You’re breaking the law; there’s a ticket or a fine waiting for you after you’re caught. Your insurance rates may increase. Even if you don’t damage other people’s cars, you’ll still most likely damage your own car. It’s not cheap to repair, and it will take you more time than you think.

NHTSA reports that during daylight hours across America, approximately 481,000 drivers are using cell phones while driving. Another study says that approximately nine people are killed and more than 1,000 injured daily in the United States in incidents reported as involving a distracted driver.

Fortunately, there are several ways we can fix this! Giving clear instructions to new drivers, telling them how important it is and how easily you can hurt yourself by being distracted. Citizens themselves can set examples and pull over at a safe place if they want to text or call. Seeing others do that will affect the public view and help our society.

Tell the people you know about this information. Sometimes hearing from someone close to you is way more likely to grab your attention and change your mind, and if a large enough group of people are doing this, we can make a great change.