TIPS IN PREVENT INJURY FROM TEXT-MESSAGING IN AND OUT OF THE CAR

Text Messaging While Driving Causes Car Accident--Text Messaging While Not Driving Can Cause Injury

As part of Driver Distraction Awareness Week, let's talk about text-messaging and driving. Simple--don't do it! Text messaging and driving kills people. Pull over and text if need be. Text message while stopped at a traffic light, but don't text-message and drive.

That being said and clear, let's discuss injuries from text-messaging and a study examining better ways to text-message (while not driving) to reduce injury to not just the thumbs but the neck, arm and hand as well. The study was performed at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. Ergonomist Ewa Gustafsson studied mobile phone habits among 56 young adults who text message on a daily basis. Half of the subjects reported problems with the neck, arms or hands, while the other half had no such symptoms.

The study concluded that text-messagers with neck, arm or hand symptoms tend to use their cell phones differently than seen in a healthy control group. 'Those with symptoms more often text messaged hunched over. Just like when using a computer, such posture should be avoided', says Gustafsson. The study also showed that text-messagers with neck, arm or hand problems tended to use one thumb to text instead of two.

The study concluded with these tips to prevent injury while text-messaging:

1.  Don't sit in the same position for a long time; instead try to vary your position. 
2. Use the chair's backrest.
3. Relieve your forearms by resting them against a desk or your thighs. 
4. Use both thumbs. 
5. Avoid hunching over for a long time. 
6. Give your thumbs a break when typing long messages. 
7. Don't type too fast.

It can never be said too much-don't text-message while driving. You can severely injure yourself or others. It is simply not worth it.

If you or a loved one is injured in a Florida car accident, click here to schedule a free case consultation with Personal Injury Matthew Noyes. Remember, insurance companies have attorneys looking about for their best interest--you should have you looking out for yours!

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