Texting While Driving Video Is Truly Terrifying

Let's talk about things we hate. I'll go first. OK, I'll be the only one to go because there are no comments on Bustle (sorry, trolls), and I'm only going to talk about one thing, because I hate it so, so much: Texting while driving. If we were to go back, say, 20 years and ask, "Hey, do write a series of short letters to your friends while operating a motor vehicle?" absolutely no one would reply, "Well. isn't that a novel idea? What a time saver! I'm going to get started on that right away!" They would think the very suggestion is moronic. On paper, pretty much everyone today feels the same way. We all say that texting while driving is clearly dumb and dangerous, and yet, 23% of auto collisions involved cell phones in 2011. This video of teens texting while driving highlights (in a completely horrifying way) just how distracting cell phones can be and how quickly things can take a turn for the worse.

Put out by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, the video focuses on the driving habits of teens, but the truth of the matter is that this is a pervasive issue throughout all demographics. According to TextingandDrivingSafety.com, 27% of adults have made or received texts while driving (and I'm guessing that's just the ones who admit to it). That's about 56,700,000 drivers. You guys: I did math for that last statistic. That shows you how strongly I feel about this topic, maybe because I feel like I personally have encountered all 56.7 million of those texters.

Take a look at the full video and please share with any and all of your easily distracted friends and family members. Seriously: whatever it is can wait!