The impact behind texting while driving.

For as long as I have been driving it has been illegal to use a phone, unless it is hands free while driving, that includes while stopped in a traffic jam or at a red light – however that doesn’t stop some people and I am sure we have all seen a number of people driving and talking or texting.

But have you ever stopped and thought about what happens while you talk or text? Every wondered how far you could have driven or how much more likely it makes your to be involved in an accident?

UK Claim Lawyers put together this interesting infographic about texting while driving and I have to admit I was quite stunned by some of the information included in it, especially when it comes to how far you travel and just how much it impairs your reaction times.

What about you? Did any of the information contained surprise you? What about the fact at 55mph you have travelled the length of a football pitch in just 5 seconds? Did you know that while legal, talking hands free can be just as dangerous as talking on a hand held on as it is still a distraction?

Of course the most worrying part of it is how much more likely you are to have an accident (23%) and with 22% of all accidents being down to driver distractions, it really is worth making sure you are switched on about driving and not what is going on with your phone.

Just remember even if you just get caught on your phone, you are looking at £100 fine and 3 points on your license (and if you get 6 points in your first 2 years of driving you lose your license and have to start again with learning to drive).

So next time you get in your car – turn your phone off (or put it out of reach) and you might just find your driving a little less distracted.

*Written in collaboration with the aforementioned company.