How long do you think it takes to glance at a text message when you're driving? One second? Two seconds? You're not alone. Most drivers believe that texting and driving creates only a momentary distraction. Lexus released a video to shatter this common misconception. The average length of time it actually takes to send or receive a text message when you're behind the wheel is 4.6 seconds, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
April is national Distracted Driving Awareness Month, established by the National Safety Council (NSC) more than 10 years ago. It's a good time to regroup and reconsider the choices we make when we're on the road. Distracted driving is dangerous. In 2022, 3,308 people lost their lives in crashes involving distracted drivers, and nearly 290,000 people were injured, according to newly released data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Keep in mind, too, that distracted driving is likely underreported. NHTSA says texting is the most alarming distraction. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 4.6 seconds. At 55 mph, that's like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.
In the video called "Driving Disrupted," Lexus demonstrates exactly what happens when drivers can no longer see the road for 4.6 seconds. Participants get behind the wheel of a Lexus NX on a closed course, thinking they're taking the vehicle for a routine test drive. What they don't know is that they're not driving an ordinary NX. They're driving a one-of-a-kind specially modified vehicle called the NX 4.6. It's equipped with electrochromic technology that turns the windshield and windows from transparent to opaque instantaneously, completely obscuring the driver's view for 4.6 seconds. The video captures the chaos that ensues. If you have a young driver in your house OR if you occasionally text and drive, take a couple of minutes and watch!
Watch this incredibly impactful video here:
"Lexus wants to bring awareness to safety behind the wheel by changing perceptions about texting and driving," said Vinay Shahani, vice president of Lexus marketing. "Even the most advanced safety systems on the road today can't replace the undivided attention of the driver."
If you'd like to sign up for free distracted driving educational resources from the National Safety Council click here.
Photo Credit: Lexus.