In a brief moment of distraction using your cell phone, your attention veers away from the road, potentially leading to loss of control of the vehicle while driving, which can result in regrettable consequences for you and those around you. Unfortunately, this situation highlights the dangers of using a cell phone while driving.

When you choose to use your phone while driving, you’re not only risking your own life by sending a text message or making a quick call; you’re also endangering the lives of other people, such as your passengers or drivers nearby. Driving distractedly using the cell phone, whether sending messages, browsing social media, or checking emails, diminishes your ability to focus on the road, where your full attention should be. Studies have shown that texting while driving increases the risk of an accident by up to 23 times.

Unfortunately, the risks you expose yourself to by doing this don’t end there. When you divide your attention between your phone and the road, your reaction time decreases. Anticipating an accident and responding to sudden obstacles is drastically harder. Dangers that may arise in your path, such as a pedestrian crossing the street, a car merging into your lane, or a red traffic light, can quickly turn into a tragedy.

However, the most significant risk of using your phone while driving will always be the devastating consequences of the accidents we’ve been discussing. Every year, thousands of people lose their lives in accidents caused by distracted drivers.

The dangers associated with using a phone while driving are evident and undeniable. Therefore, the next time you feel the temptation to look at or use your phone while driving, remember the lives at risk when you become distracted from the road and make the responsible decision to keep your attention on the road.