SALINAS, Calif.- Califonia Highway Patrol officer Bob Lehman set up two courses at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca to test Central Coast News reporter Brooke Holmquist's ability to text and drive.
Officer Lehman said the scariest part is that people think they can multi-task behind the wheel.
"Some very simple tasks and you'll see how hard it is to drive at a slow speed and text and navigate a very simple course," said Lehman.
I didn't drive the course fast, the first time through, I had both hands on the wheel and didn't hit a cone. Then, I picked up my phone and started texting.
It didn't take long for me to make a potentially fatal mistake.
"Something I don't think you even noticed, this officer just rolled a ball out in front of you...We missed that child who just chased after that ball in front of your car...Your back tire probably hit that child," said officer Lehman.
The next challenge was focused on making a quick lane change if a car cut you off.
"Car just ran stop sign, left lane!"
I barely made it through and over corrected to get through the lane of cones.
"Now think about if we were going 55mph, there would've been no way you had to stop and make that correction," said Lehman.
It was clear the road becomes your second priority when you are focused on that text message or email.
"People are thinking about other things when they are in the car, taking it for granted, using that time to conduct business, talk to loved ones about what they want for dinner. It's not the place for it."
Over and over I tried to maintain my speed and drive straight all while sending a text message or email.
"You're using both hands to text now you're using only one hand and we're jerking all over the place here...Our choices behind the wheel effect everybody else and bad choices can have deadly consequences," said Lehman.
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