Teens aren't the only ones texting and driving. Amy Huerta, a young professional, uses her phone to keep up with emails. "I almost always have my phone in my hand because it's kind of how you're doing work, when you're not sitting your desk, or in your office," said Huerta.
We asked the California Highway Patrol to set up a driving course to help demonstrate the dangers of texting. It didn't take long for the cones to start falling. The drivers also drove through the course using fatal vision goggles to simulate driving while intoxicated. The results were similar enough to scare both of our drivers. "Texting was very difficult on the course. Here, where you are actually conscious about it, you realize how all over the place you are. It definitely forces you to recognize that," said Huerta.
I got behind the wheel, too, and did no better than either of our volunteers. Huerta and De La Cruz said they use their phones more to text while driving than making actual phone calls. De La Cruz even showed us how she uses her forearms to steer her car so she can drive and text at the same time, though she admitted it wasn't really safe.
The U.S. Department of Transportation reports drivers who use hand held devices are four times more likely to get into a serious accident, serious enough to injure someone. C.H.P. spokesperson Axel Reyes said the course shows the risk we all take when we text and drive. "This course, these cones were set up in a pattern of 11 to 12 feet wide, which is your typical lane. And a lot of them, even if they didn't hit the cone, they came very close. And out there on the freeway, if you have more than one person doing it, obviously, they're bound to crash," said Reyes.
To combat the problem, Oprah dedicated an entire episode to families who've lost loved ones in accidents involving cell phones. She's also urged her viewers to sign a "No Phone Zone Pledge." Mariposa resident Kendra Ramirez watched the show and no longer uses her cell phone while driving. "I was constantly talking to friends, even texting… just passing the time in the car, basically," said Ramirez.
Ramirez said she would often drive past her destination because she was so distracted. Now, she puts her phone in the backseat so she won't be tempted to look at who is calling or texting. She even hangs up on her friends, when she hears they're on the road. "I kind of came to the conclusion that it really is an arrogant thing to do. Anything can wait. Anything! Any conversation can wait," said Ramirez.
Oakhurst business owner Mary Dempsey also saw Oprah's show. Like Ramirez, her phone has a new home in her backseat. "I think it is one distraction that everyone can get rid of and not do. It's not necessary. It's not worth killing someone or injuring someone, just to be on the phone," said Dempsey.
Now, they hope others in the valley will get the message. And after running over several cones, our volunteer drivers are also thinking twice about texting.
