When you’re driving, do you ever wonder if your texting is truly a danger to you and others? I have plenty of friends who text while driving, including myself, who probably don’t give it much thought. A new study conducted over the last 18 months tells me I should think twice:

The first study of drivers texting inside their vehicles shows that the risk sharply exceeds previous estimates based on laboratory research — and far surpasses the dangers of other driving distractions.

The new study, which entailed outfitting the cabs of long-haul trucks with video cameras over 18 months, found that when the drivers texted, their collision risk was 23 times greater than when not texting.

Try texting at stoplights next time. Save yourself.

[NYTimes]