HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2007-10-25, Page 21(MS) – As technology continues
to advance, the opportunities for
distractive driving also increase.
In the past attention to the road
may have waned when drivers
changed radio stations or cassette
tapes.
Things improved with the advent
of multiple-CD changers, satellite
radio, and steering-wheel mounted
controls. Then mobile phones
became headline makers as law-
enforcement officials and insurance
companies pondered over the
increased risk of accidents
presented by talking while
driving.
Today talking on a cell phone
without a hands-free device could
land you with a traffic ticket.
But there is another technological
attention-seeker that is causing
trouble on the roadways. Text-
messaging, or "texting," is the latest
form of communication causing
drivers to take their eyes off of the
road, with consequences.
A new poll conducted in
August by Harris Interactive found
that 91 per cent of respondents feel
that texting while driving is
dangerous - along the lines of
driving while intoxicated - more
than 57 per cent of Americans
admit to doing it.
The age group doing the most
texting while driving is the 18 to 34
demographic, making up 64 per
cent of texters, according to
research.
Stoplights and stop signs present
opportunities to check messages
and reply.
However, many others are using
PDAs and cell phones for texting
while in the throes of moving
traffic.
Washington was the first state to
pass a ban on texting while driving.
California, New York and Florida
are considering similar legislation
to deter texting and accidents.
Texting is already a suspected
cause of driving accidents.
In July 2007, 17-year-old Bailey
Goodman was killed at 10:00 p.m.
along with four other friends when
her SUV swerved into traffic and
slammed into a truck in a Rochester,
NY suburb.
The SUV burst into flames,
killing the passengers, all of
whom were recent high-school
graduates.
Police reports indicate that text
messages were sent back and forth
from Goodman’s phone moments
before the accident occurred, but
they cannot confirm if she was
doing the texting.
Routine tests ruled out alcohol as
a factor and police don’t suspect
drug use was involved. It is
speculated that distraction from
texting may be a contributor to the
crash.
Goodman held a junior license
and she wasn’t supposed to be
driving at night with so many
passengers, according to New York
law.
THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2007. PAGE 21. Texting the newest driving risk on roads
Solving the mystery
behind all-wheel
and 4-wheel drive
Continued from page 20
AWD and 4WD work by locking the
front and rear axles together to work
in unison, providing power in both
the front and rear.
However, we still haven’t solved
the mystery between the differences
between 4WD and AWD, but at least
we cleared up why they’re often
desired.
4WD - In most cases, 4WD is a
part-time system, meaning the car
drives on two wheels during regular
use and then the driver must
manually engage all four wheels
when more traction is desired. This
can be by flipping a switch inside
the vehicle. 4WD may also have a
special low range for difficult off-
road conditions There is also full-
time 4WD, which is similar to
AWD, but may still have the special
low range.
AWD – This system requires
minimal driver participation.
Depending upon the vehicle
manufacturer, AWD automatically
engages when the need to deliver
more traction is necessary – called
on demand – or may be in play at all
times. AWD will not have the
special low range.
Desire for vehicles boasting more
traction have fueled the AWD and
4WD market. Auto manufacturers
now offer larger lines of SUVs with
these drivetrains, in addition to
crossover vehicles that have an SUV
body type on a car platform instead
of truck frames. Informal studies
have shown that more people buy
these vehicles for their rugged look,
rather than their off-road
capabilities.
As a safety side note, it’s also
important to mention that AWD or
4WD will not improve a vehicle’s
ability to stop better during slippery
conditions - that is an entirely
different topic in regard to braking.
Therefore, improved traction alone
does not give drivers of AWD or
4WD vehicles license to speed or
drive recklessly in inclement
conditions.
Traffic hazard
Driver attention has waned with
the introduction of technology,
but there is a new attention
seeker causing trouble on the
roadways these days. Texting
is the latest form of
communication to take driver’s
eyes of the road. (MS photo)
OOnn tthhee RRooaadd
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