The use of cell phones while driving has been a debated topic since the beginning of time. Countries such as Malaysia, China, Singapore and the U.K. have strict rules on the usage of cellphones while driving with penalties of heavy fines; however in the U.S., it is a little more lenient when compared. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, there are only fourteen states that have prohibition against hand-held cellphones usage, whereas forty-four states in the U.S. have ban text messaging while driving, but no states have made the decision to ban all cellphone use. This has caused an uproar amongst the states whereby some are in favor of banning all cellphone use while some say it is ridiculous to do so. Though there are many disadvantages concerning this action, there are also benefits, which include the improvement of mental alertness, expanding productivity for commuters and contributing to security and peace of mind. Some sources have even suggested that cell phone usage while driving is beneficial in decreasing emergency response times An 11% of drivers in the U.S. are expected to be on their cell phones at any given time. (The New York Times) In car rides with my fellow seniors from campus to our neighborhood Walmart, never have I seen them drive without having to use their phones while driving. Such behavior seems almost inevitable in today’s society, despite knowing the dangers of such an act. One of my closes friends was on the phone while driving the other day and I remember asking him if it was legal to drive while talking on his phone in Kansas. He responded by saying, it was legal and having to talk on the phone while driving is also a great way to multitask. Like many other drivers in Kansas, he is unaware that Kansas has banned all cell phone use while driving. (Distraction.gov) While other states like Florida only ban the use of text messaging while
The several effects of distracted driving are deadly. Andrew Lavallee points out that “texting while driving is unsafe. Not only are a driver’s eyes off the road, one or both hands are off the wheel.” “We think it is incompatible with safe driving” (qtd. in Lavallee). “Study upon study showed that talking on a cellphone was far more dangerous than she’d realized – that a driver on a phone had the same reaction speed as someone legally intoxicated, that those talking on a phone behind the wheel are four times as likely to crash” (qtd. in Hanes). Stephanie Hanes also mentions that, “Unlike a conversation with a passenger, the electronic conversation takes a driver into a virtual space away from the road.” Subsequently, this causes severe problems and deadly
David Hosansky states that the use of cell phones and texting should not be allowed while driving. The increased uses of cell phones and texting while driving has become the center of safety conversations. In fact, there are more than 5,000 deaths related to the use of cell phones and texting while driving over the last decade. Even if laws were put in place it is believed that motorists would still find it hard to put down their phones down. Hosansky also gave an example on the hazards of texting while driving, especially among young drivers. There are very few states that have implemented laws restricting the use of cell phones or texting while driving. David Hosansky is a freelance writer in the Denver area. This article seems to have been written for the general public and thought to be informative. I found this especially helpful and informative in finding this is not just a local problem.
Several individuals need to be constantly sending messages to their friends and family members with the use of a cellphone while driving. More and more drivers have the urge to use their cell phones while driving. This dangerous mixture can result to be even deadly. “As one researcher concluded, a cellphone draws attention away from the routines that would provide a good representation of the driving environment” (qtd. in Seppa 3).
Research indicates that despite the common sense risks, few state laws specifically banning their use exist leading to the conclusion that this is a dangerous problem. While many states are moving towards straitening their existing laws or implementing “Distracted Driver” laws, the continued implications of allowing drivers to distract themselves is growing exponentially. For example, in the State of Maine, our legislature enacted a bill, which upon approval was added into law as Maine Title 29-A MRSA, § 2119 (Distracted). This law, which basically defined just texting as a distraction, did nothing towards curbing the use of major distractions while driving. Except for newly licensed, young drivers, there is no prohibition on cell phone use while driving in Maine; however, all Maine drivers are prohibited from texting while driving.
People are distracted enough as it is without have their cell phones attached to their ears while driving. The topic of using a cell phone while driving has been debated for many years, because there are two types of people with two different opinions. On one hand people have things that require their attention at all times, and on the other people cannot give their full attention to the road and fellow motorists if they are using their cell phone while driving.
This is also why I think they should just ban all use of cell phones. “13% of drivers age 18-20 involved in car wrecks admitted to texting or talking on the phone at the time of the crash. 34% of teens say they have texted while behind the wheel of the car, while 82% of Americans age 16-17 own a cell phone. I know that while I am driving I put my phone on silent and put it in my glove box that way if I need it for whatever reason I can just reach over and grab it.”
Texting and driving is a deadly issue in today 's generation. Using our cellphones while driving is a damaging habit among teens and adults. This habit caused many catastrophic accidents and deaths. Texting while driving has made the roads unsafe for other drivers. Many states recognize the immense threat resulting from texting and driving and have placed a ban on this epidemic. While many people realize texting and driving is hazardous others believe that the ban is useless and not strong enough of a solution.
They say cell phones are the easiest way to communicate with one another remotely. Imagine how people could communicate with their family when they are far away, without cell phones? Cell phones give weather conditions. For example, if a person gets an alert or receives the weather condition on his or her cell phone, this helps to warn of situations on the roads. Cell phones help to record incidents like shooting, fighting, or crashes. However, despite the advantages of cellphones, cell phones are a major cause of car accidents. According to the NSC National Safety council) “Cellphone usage causes 1 in 4 car accidents”. On the other hand, people can know the weather conditions without using cell phones on the roads while they’re driving. For example, they can watch television weather before leaving their homes. This can help drivers easily know the situation on the road. When it comes to communicating with people, one can connect people without using cell phones in other ways, for example, by sending a letter or an email to the people whom they want to contact. . Back in the centuries before the coming of the cell phone, people didn’t complain about not having cell phones, but nowadays almost everyone uses cell phones. Is the use of cell phones while driving more important than our lives? No. Using cellphones during driving is very dangerous because it distracts people’s minds. Cell phones should
Some people argue that just as many car accidents would happen if the use of cell phones were not involved. According to Shows Cellphone Use, “Using a cellphone while driving may be distracting, but it does not lead to higher crash risks.” It is hard to miss the number of drivers with phones glued to their hands. As they dangerously multitask while driving around other vehicles and pedestrians. Those who decide to use their phones are simultaneously contributing to a lack of visual, manual, and cognitive attention a driver needs to remain focused (Injury Prevention, 2015). With the potential of crashing being 23 times greater than the risk posed by drunk driving (No Texting, 2015). With statistical information providing a connection between distracted drivers and increased accidents, it is hard to believe there are some who feel it is not
... driving is avoidable. Using cell phone while driving is very dangerous and life risking because drivers would be easily distracted. Using cell phone while driving is unnecessary, unless in emergency situations.
Over the past two decades the use of cell phones has grown significantly and statistic from the past two years have proven that driving while on the phone or texting is becoming one of the leading causes of traffic accidents today. 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% ...
Texting and driving has become the new D.U.I meaning (driving under the influence) in society today is similar to driving under the influence. Both teenagers and adults have taken upon themselves to text while driving to possibly cause accidents and death. Prevention is a must texting and driving can cause death to society. Choosing to turn off your phone can prevent such tragedy. A study stated by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski stated that ‘’currently there is no national ban on texting or using a wireless phone while driving, but a number of states have passed laws banning texting or wireless phones or requiring hands-free use of wireless phones while driving.’’ Meaning it may be allowed but it is being used as a law to prevent possible accidents.
A. People are constantly fixated on their phones, checking Twitter, Facebook, and text messages. The use of a cell phones while driving is extremely distracting and dangerous to the person behind the wheel, and everyone else on the road as well.
Cell phone use by motorist is dangerous and can cause accidents resulting in deaths and injuries. Furthermore, Nations and states should take the lead in outlawing this dangerous act. Prohibition of Cell phone use by motorists globally is the solution. Since a driver cannot concentrate fully on driving while making a phone call, he remains as impaired as someone who drives while intoxicated. In addition, imagine the risk one puts himself in when he is being driven by a drunk driver .This is the same risk that a motorist speaking on phone faces. If lawmakers are serious about addressing the increasing number of deaths related to motorists using cell phones. Hence, they should ban use of cell phone use by motorist.
One of the worst train accidents in U.S history occurred when a conductor exchange a text messages on his phone while operating the train. This issue sparked huge controversy with lawmakers and many states have now enacted bans statewide on a handheld phone usage in the car. Additionally, many states have also enacted laws that make it illegal for bus drivers and drivers with a learner's’ permits to use handheld devices in the cars. The use of cellphones while driving is not only distraction, but it is known to potentially cause disasters like the one discussed above. Cell phone usage while operating a vehicle should be banned in this country because it will prevent more death that occur every day.