EDITORIAL: This holiday season, take the pledge - no texting and talking

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released statistics for the first half of 2015 this week and traffic deaths are up 8 percent. Is it any wonder? We can see many of the reasons during our daily commutes. For all the efforts to keep drivers' attention on the road there seems to be just too much self-imposed distractions from texting to talking. Adding to the issue, according to the NHSTA, is Americans are driving more -- 3.5 percent more -- due to lower gasoline prices.

Unfortunately, the devices we use -- too many times while streaking down the road -- increase the chances that we will be involved in an accident. Here are some statistics that may open your eyes from the website textinganddrivingsafety.com.

Texting while driving causes:

1.6 million accidents per year

330,000 injuries per year

11 teen deaths every day

Nearly 25 percent of all car accidents

Texting while driving:

Is about six times more likely to cause an accident than driving intoxicated

The same as driving after four beers

The No. 1 driving distraction reported by teen drivers

Makes you 23 times more likely to crash

Is the same as driving blind for five seconds at a time

Slows brake reaction speed by 18 percent

Some will say that talking and texting is no different than listening to the radio. The Virginia Tech study would disprove that notion. The study measured the reaction of new drivers and experienced drivers with sensors, cameras even global positioning satellites. According to a CBS News report, "The risk of a crash or near-miss among young drivers increased more than sevenfold if they were dialing or reaching for a cellphone and fourfold if they were sending or receiving a text message. Older drivers only experienced an increased chance of a crash while dialing.

The message in all of this data is to be more than careful. In Georgia, it's against the law to text and drive. AT&T has a "It Can Wait" campaign and a pledge at att.com/gen/press-room?pid=2964.

We would suggest a personal pledge as well. No texting while driving -- and if a call is that important to make or receive -- pull over. The life you save could be your own.

This story was originally published November 26, 2015 at 8:09 PM with the headline "EDITORIAL: This holiday season, take the pledge - no texting and talking ."