If you use a cell phone for calls or texting while driving, chances are you are dangerously distracted. Studies and statistics that have emerged this month may be enough to encourage many drivers to swear off multitasking from behind the wheel. And if not, a clever “game” from The New York Times can provide a further wake-up call.

The interactive feature can assess your reaction time while responding to a series of text messages and thereby illustrate the impact of distractions—all from the safety of your desk chair. Give it a try, and you’ll see how easy it is to be distracted by the messages and miss important signs.

However, please note that no matter how well you do, texting while driving is extremely dangerous and should be avoided. In fact, strongly consider turning off the device when behind the wheel to remove the temptation to respond to incoming messages.

The New York Times recently broke a story on a 250-page report from National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) detailing the cell-phone risks to motorists, and they are severe whether using a hands-free or handheld phone. This week we reported on a Virginia Tech Transportation Institute study that found texting while driving has the highest crash risk of all cell phone related tasks—23 times riskier than using a cell phone. Any way you approach it, cell phones and driving make for a dangerous combination.

The conclusion remains: Hang up and drive.

—Liza Barth

For more information on distracted driving see our related reports:
Using wireless communication devices while driving
Cell phone use and driving laws
Dangers of cell phones while driving
Should cell phone use by drivers be illegal?
Texting while driving
Talking in the slow lane