Trifecta of Distraction

Almost everybody does it, but texting and checking email while driving is incredibly dangerous. So much so it has been made illegal in 39 states and the District of Columbia. Human Factors Program Director Dan McGehee explains why—"it takes your eyes, hands AND attention off the road" he said, calling emailing the "trifecta of distraction."

In an interview on NPR's All Tech Considered, McGehee says people delude themselves into thinking it's okay to check email in the car during down time, such as when stopped at a light. It's not," he argues. "Some of the most intense distractions can come when you're stopped."

The best solution? According to McGehee, when you're behind the wheel, turn off your phone, put it in a bag and leave it alone. If you find the temptation hard to resist he suggests you think about this: "Is it really so important to send that string of messages back and forth for the last 45 seconds of your life?"