Big surprise! Texting while driving is dangerous

It absolutely amazes me how ludicrous some studies are. And, it amazes me even more that government agencies will pick up the tab for studies that are so obvious as to make their results comical.

Consumer Report and the U.S. Transportation Department have teamed up to get the message out to teens that driving and texting go together about as well as driving and drinking ... both of which lead to the increased potential of fatality traffic crashes.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood went to the magazine's New York headquarters and unveiled a project aimed at helping parents and teachers to get the message out to teens.

Consumer Reports notes three deadly statistics: * Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens. * Teens are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as other drivers. * And texting multiplies by 23 the risk of a collision.

Judging by the number of drivers seen on any given day as they drive merrily along on Parkersburg-Vienna streets, jabbering away on the cell phones while attempting to drive with a cigarette, can of liquid (hopefully soft drink and not beer) or food in their hands, it amazes me there aren't more accidents. And, it isn't just teenagers disregarding the common sense God gave them, taking their attention off their primary function -- watching the road.

For every teen see doing something dangerous, there appears to be multiple adults doing likewise.

Texting while driving is a known problem, but so are talking on a cell phone, adjusting radio stations, changing CDs, putting on makeup, shaving, eating, taking notes, reading, smoking, adjusting a tie, watching a DVD, watching a video on a smart phone, etc.

Texting is dangerous, but so are a lot of other activities that cause accidents.