Persuasive Essay On Texting And Driving

A 2009 survey revealed that about 91 percent or 285 million Americans are cell phone users, and a 2010 survey from the National Safety Council showed that at least "28% of all traffic crashed - or 1.6 million crashes each year-involve drivers using cell phones and texting" (www.nsc.org). With Florida being one of only 15 States that have not implemented a ban on using cell phones and texting while driving, I choose to write my letter to Congressman Bill Young, who represents the 10th Congressional District, which covers the majority of Pinellas County. Living in Pinellas County I feel that it is important that he support H.R. 1772 the "Distracted Driving Prevention Act of 2011", sponsored by Congressman Eliot Engel of New York. This bill would

In 2011, a survey of more than 2800 American adults revealed that even thought they know that using a cell phone or texting while driving is distracting, they do it anyway, and teens surveyed admit that texting while driving is their number one distraction. "Each year, 21% of fatal car crashes involving teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 were the result of cell phone usage. This result has been expected to grow as much as 4% every year"(www.edgarsnyder.com). In 2009, over 5400 people were killed due to accidents involving cell phone use and another 448,000 people were injured. In 2010, this number rose to almost 10,000 deaths and 500,000 injured. While these numbers are high, they could be even higher due to the fact that a number of States do not collect information that tracks cell phone use or texting in their crash database. Regardless, it is clear that cell phones and texting while driving is a distraction to drivers, and can have serious

1772 the "Distracted Driving Prevention Act of 2011, sponsored by Congressman Eliot Engle, it would "direct the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to make distracted driving prevention incentive grants for each fiscal year to States that enact laws that prohibit, with certain exceptions, and establish fines for testing and/or handheld cell phone use while driving"(http://thomas.loc.gov). It is clear that this bill is designed to incentivize States that take action against the dangers of cell phone use and texting while driving. In order for States to qualify for these grants, they must have laws in place that prohibit cell phone use and texting while driving. The State must also make cell phone use and texting while driving a primary offense, and establish minimum fines for first time offenders, with increased fines for repeat offenders. In addition, they must also establish civil and criminal penalties on drivers who cause an accident while using a cell phone or texting while driving, and make distracted driving issues part of the driver's license exam. For those States that meet these qualifications they will be awarded grant money to be used to help educate the public on the dangers of distracted driving, for advertisement of the dangers, signs to notify drivers of the law, and to help law enforcement enforce the