Recent studies have found that those who text message while driving are significantly more likely to be involved in a car accident than those who do not text message while driving. The National Safety Council (NSC) reports that an estimated 28% of car accidents in the U.S. are caused by drivers who are texting, emailing, or talking on their cell phone while behind the wheel.

Texting while driving has been consistently found to be the single most dangerous form of distracted driving. The NSC reports that a person sending a text message is 23 times more likely to be involved in a car accident, compared to those who are not texting. This is because texting diverts the driver’s attention from the road, making it difficult to react quickly enough to prevent a crash.

In addition to the increased risk of a car accident, texting while driving can lead to license suspensions, traffic tickets, and higher insurance premiums. As a result, many states and municipalities have enacted laws to prohibit drivers from using their cell phones while behind the wheel. These laws typically make it illegal to text, email, or use a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle.

At the end of the day, the risk of being involved in a car accident is too great for drivers to ignore. While it may seem tempting to send a quick text message while driving, it’s simply not worth it. The best advice is to pull over and stop the car before sending any text messages.

To learn more about the dangers of distracted driving and ways to avoid it, visit the National Safety Council website www.nsc.org/home-safety/safety-topics/distracted-driving.