State Farm® Survey Shows Fewer Teens Believe They Will Have an Accident or be Killed Texting While Driving Versus Drinking While Driving

A new State Farm ® survey, conducted by Harris Interactive, shows that despite academic research indicating the consequences of texting while driving can be as severe as drunk driving, some teens still don't see it that way.

In the survey, fewer teens view texting while driving as leading to fatal consequences as compared to drinking while driving. Of 14-17 years-olds who intend to have or already have a driver's license, the survey found that 36 percent strongly agree that if they regularly text and drive they could be killed one day. In contrast, the majority of teens (55 percent) strongly agree that drinking while driving could be fatal.

The survey also showed that teens think the chances of getting into an accident are still higher when drinking while driving versus texting while driving. In the survey, of these same teens, 63 percent strongly agree they could get into an accident if they text and drive. This compares with 78 percent who strongly agree they could get into an accident if they drink and drive. The survey was conducted in July among 697 U.S. teens 14-17 years of age.

The awareness gap becomes more pronounced among teens who admit to texting while driving versus teens who refrain from the practice. Among teens that have never texted while driving, 73 percent strongly agree they will get into an accident if they text and drive. Yet among teens that admit to texting while driving, only 52 percent strongly agree they will get into an accident as a result of the practice.

"Some teens still think the consequences of reaching for a cell phone are less severe than reaching for a beer bottle," said Laurette Stiles, vice president of Strategic Resources at State Farm. "We have a lot of catching up to do when it comes to helping teens understand that texting while driving can be every bit as dangerous as drinking while driving. It's an awareness gap that must be addressed."

Reaction Times

In the survey, aspiring and current teen drivers also think their chances of narrowly avoiding an accident are better texting while driving versus drinking while driving. With texting while driving, 55 percent of these teens agree they will have some situations when they almost get into an accident but will recover just in time. This compares to 36 percent of these teens who agree they can recover just in time in situations where they are drinking and driving.

While many teens may believe their ability to respond during a texting while driving incident is greater than with drinking while driving, research shows that texting may be as dangerous as or more so than drinking. In a 2008 study by TRL, the United Kingdom's Transport Research Laboratory, reaction time of drivers 17-24 years of age was reduced by 35 percent when typing a text message, compared with 12 percent when driving after consuming alcohol to the legal limit. A similar study was released in 2006 by the University of Utah using participants 22-34 years of age. This study found that the impairments associated with talking on a cell phone can be as profound as those associated with driving while intoxicated during those times when drivers are directly engaged in cell phone use. Researchers also pointed out that drinking creates impairment throughout the entire practice of driving. They found that texting while driving only creates impairment while the driver is directly engaged in the practice. Once reengaged in driving, drivers who text do not display the same characteristics as intoxicated drivers during routine operation of a motor vehicle.

The National Safety Council estimates that 200,000 crashes each year are caused by drivers who are texting.

The Role of Parents

The survey also underscores that parental engagement on texting while driving is not fully breaking through when compared to discussions about drinking and driving.

Of teens who talk often with their parents about driving, 82 percent strongly agree that if they regularly drink and drive they will get into an accident. That number falls to 72 percent among teens who rarely or never talk to their parents about driving. A similar pattern was evident around texting while driving but in these cases teens view the consequences of texting as less severe. In the survey, 67 percent of teens who often talk to their parents about driving strongly agree that if they regularly text and drive someday they will get into an accident. This compared with 56 percent of teens who rarely or never talk to their parents about driving.

The Survey

For this State Farm survey, Harris Interactive conducted the survey within the United States on July 22-26, 2010 among 697 U.S. 14-17 year-olds, including 694 who intend to have or already have a driver's license. Figures for age, sex, geographic region, and race/ethnicity were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. The estimated margin of error is +/- 3.7 percentage points for the entire sample and is higher among subgroups.

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100 Days of Summer H.E.A.T. Program Underway

/24-7/ -H.E.A.T. - Targeting Aggressive Drivers

This year, the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety and local law enforcement agencies came together for the sixth year of the 100 Days of Summer H.E.A.T. (or "Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic") program. The program is a multi-jurisdictional effort mounted by police departments, sheriff deputies, state troopers and state motor carrier compliance officers in 159 counties across the state to crack down on aggressive drivers during the busy summer season and other holiday seasons.

In particular, law enforcement officers target drunk drivers, speeders and those not wearing their seatbelts or using proper child safety restraints -- offenses that statistics have shown to be the top three causes of fatalities on Georgia's roadways.

Operation Zero Tolerance - Enforcing the State's DUI Laws

As a part of the H.E.A.T. program, the police ran a second campaign specifically during the Fourth of July holiday period to enforce Georgia's "Over the Limit, Under Arrest" program. Running from June 19-July 5, Operation Zero Tolerance sought to decrease the number of alcohol-related accidents and deaths during the weeks that preceded the long holiday weekend. Last year alone, nearly 50% of the fatalities during the 4th of July holiday involved a drunk driver. Police in several counties conducted DUI dragnets over the 4th of July weekend as part of Operation Zero Tolerance. It appears that such law enforcement efforts will continue over future holiday weekends, perhaps including the upcoming end of summer Labor Day period.

Georgia DUI Penalties

With the state's increased focus on enforcing its traffic laws -- and more specifically, drunk driving laws -- it is important for all drivers to be aware of the steep penalties they face for even a first time offense. In the state of Georgia, there is no such thing as a simple slap on the wrist for a DUI charge.

First Offenses

According to section 40-6-391 of Georgia's criminal code, first time DUI offenders face:
-A fine of not less than $300.00 and not more than $1,000. 00, which fine shall not, except as provided in subsection (g) of this Code section, be subject to suspension, stay, or probation
-A period of imprisonment of not fewer than ten days nor more than 12 months, which period of imprisonment may, at the sole discretion of the judge, be suspended, stayed, or probated, except that if the offender's alcohol concentration at the time of the offense was 0.08 grams or more, the judge may suspend, stay, or probate all but 24 hours of any term of imprisonment imposed under this subparagraph
-Not fewer than 40 hours of community service, except that for a conviction for violation of subsection (k) of this Code section where the person's alcohol concentration at the time of the offense was less than 0.08 grams, the period of community service shall be not fewer than 20 hours
-Completion of a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program. The sponsor of any such program shall provide written notice of the department's approval of the program to the person upon enrollment in the program
-A clinical evaluation as defined in Code Section 40-5-1 and, if recommended as a part of such evaluation, completion of a substance abuse treatment program as defined in Code Section 40-5-1; provided, however, that in the court's discretion such evaluation may be waived
-Finally, if the person is sentenced to a period of imprisonment for fewer than 12 months, a period of probation of 12 months less any days during which the person is actually incarcerated

Second Offenses

For second offenses -- defined as any second DUI offense within a ten year period -- the potential penalties are tougher, and could include:
-A fine of not less than $600.00 and not more than $1,000.00, which fine shall not, except as provided in subsection (g) of this Code section, be subject to suspension, stay, or probation
-A period of imprisonment of not fewer than 90 days and not more than 12 months. The judge shall probate at least a portion of such term of imprisonment, in accordance with subparagraph (F) of this paragraph, thereby subjecting the offender to the provisions of Article 7 of Chapter 8 of Title 42 and to such other terms and conditions as the judge may impose; provided, however, that the offender shall be required to serve not fewer than 72 hours of actual incarceration
-Not fewer than 30 days of community service
-3 year license suspension
-Completion of a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program. The sponsor of any such program shall provide written notice of the department's approval of the program to the person upon enrollment in the program
-A clinical evaluation as defined in Code Section 40-5-1 and, if recommended as a part of such evaluation, completion of a substance abuse treatment program as defined in Code Section 40-5-1
-A period of probation of 12 months less any days during which the person is actually incarcerated

Third Offenses

While first and second DUI offenses are categorized as misdemeanors, a third conviction within a ten year period is deemed a high and aggravated misdemeanor, with potential penalties as follows:
-A fine of not less than $1,000.00 and not more than $5,000.00, which fine shall not, except as provided in subsection (g) of this Code section, be subject to suspension, stay, or probation
-A mandatory period of imprisonment of not fewer than 120 days and not more than 12 months. The judge shall probate at least a portion of such term of imprisonment, in accordance with subparagraph (F) of this paragraph, thereby subjecting the offender to the provisions of Article 7 of Chapter 8 of Title 42 and to such other terms and conditions as the judge may impose; provided, however, that the offender shall be required to serve not fewer than 15 days of actual incarceration
-Not fewer than 30 days of community service
-Completion of a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program. The sponsor of any such program shall provide written notice of the department's approval of the program to the person upon enrollment in the program
-A clinical evaluation as defined in Code Section 40-5-1 and, if recommended as a part of such evaluation, completion of a substance abuse treatment program as defined in Code Section 40-5-1
-A period of probation of 12 months less any days during which the person is actually incarcerated
-Additionally, those receiving their third DUI conviction within five years of their second conviction are considered "habitual violators"

Fourth (and Subsequent) Offenses

A fourth DUI conviction within a 10 year period is a felony, as long as all of the DUI convictions occurred after July 1, 2008. As such, the penalties for a fourth conviction are more severe, and could include:
-A fine of not less than $1,000.00 and not more than $5,000.00, which fine shall not, except as provided in subsection (g) of this Code section, be subject to suspension, stay, or probation
-A period of imprisonment of not less than one year and not more than five years; provided, however, that the judge may suspend, stay, or probate all but 90 days of any term of imprisonment imposed under this paragraph. The judge shall probate at least a portion of such term of imprisonment, in accordance with subparagraph (F) of this paragraph, thereby subjecting the offender to the provisions of Article 7 of Chapter 8 of Title 42 and to such other terms and conditions as the judge may impose
-Not fewer than 60 days of community service; provided, however, that if a defendant is sentenced to serve three years of actual imprisonment, the judge may suspend the community service
-Completion of a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program. The sponsor of any such program shall provide written notice of the department's approval of the program to the person upon enrollment in the program
-A clinical evaluation as defined in Code Section 40-5-1 and, if recommended as a part of such evaluation, completion of a substance abuse treatment program as defined in Code Section 40-5-1
-A period of probation of five years less any days during which the person is actually imprisoned

Treatment Programs

Anyone convicted of any DUI offense is required to complete a DUI Alcohol or Drug Use Risk Reduction Program (often referred to as "DUI School"). Also, those convicted of a DUI offense are required to undergo a clinical evaluation to determine if additional drug and/or alcohol treatment is necessary. If it is determined to be necessary, the offender is required to complete the program -- either as a part of their sentence or as a condition for their probation -- and pay for the program out-of-pocket.

Ignition Interlock Devices

Per section 42-8-111 of Georgia's criminal code, anyone who receives their second or subsequent DUI conviction within 5 years of a previous conviction is required to install an ignition interlock device in their vehicles for at least 6 months. Ignition interlock devices are breathalyzers installed in the car that the driver must blow into before starting the ignition. If the device detects any alcohol at all on the driver's breath, the vehicle will not start. The driver also may have to breathe into the machine at irregular intervals after the car has been started in order to continue operating the vehicle. Offenders are required to pay for the costs to install the ignition interlock device in addition to any maintenance fees.

Conclusion

The State of Georgia is taking drunk driving seriously, not just during the summer holiday season, but also throughout the entire year. If you have been charged with drunk driving, you should not underestimate the consequences such a charge will have on the rest of your life. Not only are you facing increased insurance premiums and losing your driver's license, but you also may be out thousands of dollars and have to live with the social stigma of being a "drunk driver." For more information on defending against a drunk driving charge, contact an experienced DUI attorney.

Article provided by Howard Weintraub PC

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States Increase Efforts to Combat Drunk Driving

/PRNewswire/ -- Drunk driving remains one of America's deadliest crimes. And the last few weeks of summer vacation are a time of increased road travel and drunk driving fatalities and injuries. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, August and September are among the most deadly periods on the roadways. The nation has made dramatic progress in reducing drunk driving deaths, but there were still more than 11,000 alcohol-impaired deaths in 2008 -- deaths that were completely preventable.

This is why GHSA's member State Highway Safety Offices are joining forces with law enforcement officers across the country to take part in the national "Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest." crackdown on impaired driving during the Labor Day holiday period. The crackdown, which runs from August 21 through September 7, includes sobriety checkpoints and saturation patrols, as well as a $13 million national media campaign supplemented by state-funded advertising.

This year, increased awareness is focused on women, who represent a growing percentage of drunk drivers. According to FBI figures that cover about 56 percent of country, the number of women arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs was 28.8 percent higher in 2007 than it was in 1998, while the number of men arrested declined 7.5 percent. Additionally, a new study from the Washington University School of Medicine reports a 40 percent increase in binge drinking among women ages 21 to 23 from 1979 to 2006.

State data also demonstrate this trend. In California, women accounted for nearly 19 percent of all DUI arrests in 2007, compared with 14 percent in 1998. Minnesota also saw a 5 percent increase in female DUI arrests during this period. Other states including Vermont, Missouri, New Jersey and New Mexico reported similar trends. States are beginning to address this trend in their media messaging. New Mexico recently conducted a campaign entitled "Women Drive Drunk, Too."

Barbara Harsha, Executive Director of GHSA, expects more states to focus on anti-DUI efforts toward women. Harsha says, "Women are driving more like men and, unfortunately, have picked up some of their dangerous habits. While males continue to represent the large majority of DUI arrests, it is alarming that women's rates have increased so significantly."

While the crackdown's enforcement and education components are helping to curb the number of drunk drivers on the road, progress is also being made on the legislative and technological fronts. An increasing number of states now require all convicted DUI offenders have an alcohol ignition interlock installed on their vehicle. This device measures a driver's Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) through a breath test before the car is allowed to start. Just this year, three more states have enacted this law, bringing the total number of states with such rules to 11.

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