To the Editor:

Five seconds that's all it takes. Looking at one text can be the difference between life and death. Five seconds of inattentiveness while going 60 mph is equivalent to closing your eyes and driving 100 feet.

Vehicle accidents are the number one killer in people aged 15 to 20. The National Safety Council estimates 28 percent of all recorded traffic crashes, 1.6 million crashes a year, involve drivers texting.

Thirty-four percent of teens admit to texting while driving. Teens who text spend about 10 percent of their driving time outside of their lane.

According to statistics, 11 teen drivers die due to texting while driving every day.

The consequences of texting while driving are simply too great to ignore. Serious injury or even death could be the result for the driver. Drivers are not the only ones reaping the consequences. Passengers may also face the same perils. Responding to the latest text could cause a head-on collision resulting in death on impact.

Facing a possible fine for texting while driving is the least of your problems as now you are likely to be charged with vehicular manslaughter. Imagine being incarcerated or worse yet knowing you killed someone.

There are ways as parents to prevent your child from texting while driving. Having your child take the text-free driving pledge at www.textinganddrivingsafety.com is a good place to start. Car monitors are also available for purchase. These monitors will allow you to check on the driver at any time. Another option is downloading free anti-texting while driving apps.

There is no such thing as safe texting and driving. So be smart, protect your loved ones and get the word out.

Remember, five seconds is all it takes.

Jenna Reid

Emmaus High School student