(OSKALOOSA, Iowa) – With warm weather approaching, grabbing your purse or wallet (as well as your cell phone) and jumping the car to take a cruise around town can seem more and more appealing. Today the Oskaloosa Police Department sent out a news release to area media warning drivers of the dangers involved in texting and driving along with drinking and driving.

The impairments associated with drunk driving and texting while driving are very similar, according to the National Highway and Transportation Administration (NHTSA). Both cause distraction and impaired driving that can result in following too closely, not being able to brake on time or weaving into oncoming traffic. Drivers who are texting behind the wheel have a 23% higher chance of causing a crash. According to the news release sent by the OPD, that is equivalent to drinking four beers.