Dying to Text

Dr. Frank Ryan, plastic surgeon to the “stars”, is the latest example of a distracted driving death. I must admit that I have never heard of the good doctor, but based on press coverage he obviously had some celebrity of note. It seems Dr. Ryan was driving home in the hills surrounding Malibu, California and careened off of a cliff as he was in the middle of sending a text on his cell phone. Also present in his vehicle was his pet, a border collie that miraculously survived the crash.

Tragic and senseless, the doctor’s death nevertheless is instructive. Writing, reading or sending a text, tweet or email while you are behind the wheel can injure, maim and kill. I can only assume the doctor was not a dumb man, but he certainly put himself in jeopardy to twitter a message about his dog. Was it that important? Or do you think the doctor’s hubris convinced him that he could multi-task behind the wheel? Either way he was wrong and lost his life.

Why do people take such risks to communicate? A recent scientific study suggests that texting is habit forming and dopamine is actually released in the brain when a connection is made. Others believe it has become the highest form of instant gratification among young people. They have embraced texting above all other forms of technology driven communication and made it a keystone of today’s culture.

No matter the reason, brain response or part of the culture, it is dangerous activity when driving. According to researchers at Virginia Tech drivers who are text messaging are 23 times more likely to be in a crash or near-collision than those who are focused. In fact, the same 2009 study revealed that drivers engaged in texting take their eyes off of the road 4.6 seconds out of a 6 second interval; at a speed of 55mph that equates to 100 yards of inattentive driving. Plenty of time to do something foolish like drive off a cliff!