Natalie Greene
Professor Goff
English 1010
7 August 2014
Cellphones
and Driving: Why It's a Distraction
Among the conflicts of distracted driving, cellphone use
is a main cause, though some argue that it’s still ok. As drivers go about their lives they are
trying to stay connected to everything else going on. Not only are they sending texts while
driving, they are also checking and sending emails, calls, and even social
media websites. Is staying connected
really more important than safety on the road?
As more and more drivers participate in distracted driving more and more
lives are put at risk.
According
to the statistics provided by the American Journal of public health as text
messaging rates have increased so have accidents caused by distracted driving.
From 1999 to 2008, deaths resulting from distracted driving have increased
about 20%. It’s not a coincidence that
cellphone use increased during this time too.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reported that
driving while distracted has resulted in more than 3,000 deaths per year. Looking
at these statistics it would seem logical that we should ban cellphone use
completely while operating a vehicle.
It is estimated that when you send or read a text message
you are distracted from the road for 5 seconds or the time it takes you to
drive the length of a football field. Imagine driving across a football field
blindfolded. It’s a frightening thought
that couldn’t be completed easily. This
is why drivers can’t safely text and drive.
According to journalist Nathan Eddy those who participate in texting and
driving quadruple their risk of getting into a car crash.
Texting and driving isn’t the only distraction cellphones
provide to drivers. According to a study
completed by State Farm from 2009 to 20111 drivers who accessed the internet
while driving increased from 29% to 43%.
In that same time span drivers accessing social media networks increased
from 21% to 37%. That is a huge jump in
the percentage of distracted drivers. As
smartphones become more and more popular more and more distractions are being
presented to drivers.
Using a cellphone while driving impairs the drivers’
awareness of their surroundings, situations, and ability to react, meaning that
drivers have a harder time processing what it is that is happening on the road
around them. Even hands free devices
cause drivers to be distracted from what is really going on around them. Research has shown that when using a hands
free device the driver is cognitively distracted from recognizing audio and
visual cues that would normally help them avoid an accident.
A total of 14 states have passed laws that don’t allow
drivers to use hand-held devices while driving. The thought behind
this is that it is less distracting if drivers use hands free devices while
driving. For example, if a driver is using a Bluetooth device to answer their
calls they do not have to pick up their phone and are no longer at risk of
unsafe driving. As more research is completed on hands free devices and driving
the states must take another look at their Distracted Driving Laws and decide
if they are actually helping.
Most states are quickly realizing the need to prevent
distracted driving caused by cellphones and are establishing laws to help
prevent it. However, no states have
completely banned the use of cellphones while driving. 44 states have laws prohibiting texting while
driving. The other 6 states that haven’t
outlawed texting and driving have established rules regarding it. The most prominent being young drivers are
not allowed to text and drive. Research
supports that the most prominent group to participate in using a cellphone
while driving are those under the age of 25.
Due to cellphone use deaths resulting from cellphones on
the road have increased about 20%.
According to the Official US Government Website for Distracted Driving
nearly 500,000 people are injured each year due to distracted driving. In 2009 over 5,000 people were killed due to
distracted driving. Though people have busy lives and use their cellphones to
stay connected it’s not worth it to use these devices while behind the
wheel.
Though most people agree that texting and driving is
dangerous there are those who believe that hands free devices such as Bluetooth
devices or speakerphones are fine to use while driving. However, many studies
and articles have turned up stating that even hands free devices are not safe.
This is because as we are holding a conversation, whether while using our
handheld devices or using a hands free device, our brain is still distracted.
Drivers are no longer fully focused on the road when holding a conversation.
According to the International Association for the
Wireless Telecommunications Industry there are many other activities that are
more dangerous than using a cellphone while driving. Changing a CD, eating, or talking with
someone else in the car may also be distracting. The goal here is to minimize the amount of
distractions that happen while driving and adding a cellphone to the mix does
not help.
Another argument for the use of cellphones while driving
is that cellphones provide means for safety and a way to contact help in an
emergency. This may be true and there is
nothing wrong about pulling over on the side of the road to use your cellphone
to report an accident or to call for assistance. If the accident you’re calling to report most
likely happened due to distracted driving there is where the issue arises.
The only way to completely stop texting and driving will
be to ban the use of cellphones while driving. No texting, no calling, and no
accessing your phone in any way while driving.
States should pass laws making it a ticketable offense. No more lives
should be put at risk just so a driver can stay connected a while longer. In the end it comes down to each individual
driver and a responsibility put on them.
It’s up to us to decide to put away our cellphones and avoid
distractions while driving. Our lives
and the lives of others are in our hands when we get behind the wheel and it’s
our jobs to make sure our hands are not distracted.
Works
Cited
“Distracted
Driving Laws.” Governors Highway Safety Association. July
2014. 23 July 2014 <www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html>
Wilson,
Fernando A., and Jim Stimpson. “Trends in Fatalities From Distracted Driving in
the United States.” American Journal of Public Health 100
(2010): 2213-19.
Eddy,
Nathan. “Texting While Driving More Prevalent Among Adults: AAA.” eWeek 13
December 2013: 2
Rhodan, Maya. “4 in 10
Teens Admit Texting While Driving.” Time 14 June 2014: 32
“Distracted Driving
Problem Extends Beyond Texting.” Professional Safety 57
(2012): 24
International
Association for the Wireless Telecommunications Industry (CTIA), "CTIA
Consumer Info: Driving Tips," www.ctia.org
“Get
The Facts: Frequently Asked Questions.” Official US Government Website for
Distracted Driving. 3 August 2014 < http://www.distraction.gov/content/get-the-facts/faq.html>
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