Preventing Texting While Driving A Statement of the American College of Preventive Medicine

    Authors

    K. M. Sherin; A. L. Lowe; B. J. Harvey; D. F. Leiva; A. Malik; S. Matthews; R. Suh;Pr American Coll Preventive Med

    Comments

    Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Am. J. Prev. Med.

    Keywords

    CELL-PHONE-USE; TEENAGE DRIVERS; LICENSING LAWS; FATAL CRASHES; DISTRACTION; CARE; Public, Environmental & Occupational Health; Medicine, General &; Internal

    Abstract

    The American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) is providing a set of recommendations designed to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with distractions due to texting while driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 12% of all fatal crashes involving at least one distracted driver are estimated to be related to cell phone use while driving.(1) Given the combination of visual, manual, and cognitive distractions posed by texting, this is an issue of major public health concern for communities. Therefore, the ACPM feels it is timely to discuss this issue and provide the following recommendations: 1. Encourage state legislatures to develop and pass legislation banning texting while driving, while simultaneously implementing comprehensive and dedicated law enforcement strategies including penalties for these violations. Legislatures should establish a public awareness campaign regarding the dangers of texting while driving as an integral part of this legislation. 2. Promote further research into the design and evaluation of educational tools regarding texting while driving that can be incorporated into the issuance of driver's licenses. 3. Provide primary care providers with the appropriate tools to educate patients of all ages. 4. Conduct additional studies investigating the risks associated with cell phone usage while driving, particularly texting, with motor vehicle crashes. (C) 2014 American Journal of Preventive Medicine

    Journal Title

    American Journal of Preventive Medicine

    Volume

    47

    Issue/Number

    5

    Publication Date

    1-1-2014

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    681

    Last Page

    688

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000343673800021

    ISSN

    0749-3797

    Share

    COinS