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Home My WebLink AboutThe 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 J.L. 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