A Minute Saved: Practice Safe Driving

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A Minute Saved

Today’s society appears to be constantly on the go. People seem to be pulled in multiple directions at once. Individuals never appear to have enough time to complete tasks that continually accumulate. It can be difficult to criticize someone that tries to make the most out every minute. Unfortunately, some of today’s drivers show a lack of judgment and trying to perform other tasks, while behind the wheel. People may feel this is best use time while getting to a destination. Occasionally, the small amount of time that people are trying to gain results in a time consuming accident. With modern conveniences that are geared toward an on the go public, individuals appear to be too preoccupied to driving safely.
Distracted driving is an issue that needs to be addressed. “When drivers who had an accident or near-accident due to distracted driving were asked, many said they would repeat the hazardous behavior” (Brody). Many states have enacted texting bans, but that does not seem to be enough. In survey conducted by AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, 67 percent of drivers surveyed admitted to talking on the phone while driving and 21 percent had been texted (Richtel). One solution might be to require drivers to stow devices such as cell phones. If driver seen with access to a distracting device a citation should be issue. When people are reprimanded with monetary losses, they tend to change their behavior. Multiple offenders should be subject to the loss of their driving privileges similar speeders. Common sense, with distraction laws, should come into play. It would seem arbitrary to give drivers tickets if their passengers were using any such devices like cell phones. If distracted driving laws existed, insurance compa...

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...eem worth. Even if drivers could save ten minutes every day driving to work distracted, which equals about two days a year, it does not seem to equal the loss of human life.

Works Cited

Brody, Jane E. "Keeping Eyes on Distracted Driving’s Toll." New York Times 12 Apr 2011: D7(L). Web. 18 Nov 2013. .
Levin, Myron. "Mixed Message? While Assailing Driving Distractions, Automakers Pack in Tempting Gadgets." FairWarning (2011). Web. 19 Nov 2013. .
Richtel, Matt. "Federal Agency Plans Distracted Driving Forum." New York Times 5 Aug 2009: A11(L). Web. 18 Nov 2013. .
"Think before you speak." The Economist 16 Apr 2011. Web. 18 Nov 2013. .

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