Abstract Accordingly, there are more mobile devices owned in the United States than there are people (2011). Many states have passed laws forbidding text messaging while driving, and there are even fewer that have passed laws that ban cell phone usage while driving completely. Even though the statistics are clear and that there is a problem, there is still yet to be a bill passed that eliminates the use of cell phones across all states, altogether. Many people believe that such a bill would limit their freedom even more than the government already has. With millions of Americans driving, and the many that use cell phones while driving, the problem is very real and very grave. Laws that prohibit using cell phones nationwide have yet to be passed. Legislative action in individual states varies greatly regarding the use of cellular devices while driving. According to Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), there is no state that completely bans the use of cell phones while driving, and there are only 14 states that ban the use of a handheld cell phone (2012). Many other states impose restrictions on certain ways to use a cell phone, however most do not carry a heavy penalty for breaking them. Because of all of the differences in states ' laws regarding cell phone usage, it is reasonable to conclude that there are those who would unknowingly break the law by using their cell phone due to ignorance. Standardizing a law prohibiting cell phone usage completely would help
Many accidents are blamed on distracted driving and most of the distractions are caused by cell phone usage. However, some opponents feel that creating a law against cell phone use infringes their personal rights. Others think that banning someone from using their cell phones is equivalent to telling someone that they can't adjust their radio or chat with someone else in their car. However, using a cell phone, whether talking or texting, while driving can be extremely dangerous; it should be made illegal because it is very hazardous to yourself and the people surrounding you, can lead to the death of loved ones, and it is even compared to the danger level of drunk driving. No matter what age the driver is, under no
An article found on EBSCO, written by John Callegari for Long Island Business News, unveiled the multitude of legislative action that has been taken by the nation as a whole. The article declares that Representative McCarthy introduced legislation to standardize laws regarding the use of handheld devices while driving, known as the Safe Drivers Act of 2011. Her evidence in success of the ban passed in her state of New York was that, “Laws do work. Immediately after New York banned cell phone use there was a 47 percent decline in cellphone activity while driving” (Callegari 1). As noted in the article, the only states that don’t offer regulations are: Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South
Enforcement problems arise because the offense is hard to detect except through erratic driving behavior (Gardner, 2010). Traffic stops such as those used to check for seatbelt use may help enforce bans, as officers may ask to check cell phones for evidence of very recent texting activity (Gardner, 2010). Another difficulty in enforcing these laws involves the individual drivers themselves ---many of whom believe laws do not have an effect on them (Sherzan, 2010). Many drivers simply ignore the law because they think they are safe drivers and any possible punishment for a violation will be minimal (Sherzan, 2010). Another reason drivers continue to use cell phones while driving is because they do not fear being prosecuted or convicted of crimes if they are actually caught (Sherzan, 2010). In addition to enforcement issues, statistics seem to indicate there has not been a reduction in the number of crashes in states where such a ban is in place (Sherzan, 2010). The following section will illustrate how cell phone usage contributes to automobile
Automobile crashes as a result of texting while driving is an epidemic that has taken over the nation in the past years. In today’s society, people have become more and more dependent on technology as everyday uses. How many can honestly say that they have text and driven? How many have had to swerve, stop on the brakes or almost gotten into an accident because of it? Texting while driving is the most common thing that almost everyone has done or seen. The main issue and threat is that people think they can safely type on their phone while driving; while others simply do not think there is any real danger with that act. Today, it is all about convenience; but the cost for this convenience can be very deadly. Studies show that any
Having your phone with you driving has become a big part of our daily lives. While it is a great tool to have if there was an emergency, it’s also leading to our destruction. Every single day I watch in horror as driver’s text whilst they are driving. We have all heard for years that it is dangerous to use our phones while operating a motor vehicle, so why does a greater part of the population, mostly teens, continue to practice this dangerous act? I believe it is because the laws are not strict enough to be a deterrent.
Things are not all bad, though. Laws concerning the use of phones in cars, and more specifically texting while driving are finally starting to see the light of day. According to Anne McCartt, the senior vice president of research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a ban on hand-held phones in New York reduced use of such devices by about fifty percent. That was until use was re-measured the next year, finding that the “decline had dissipated substantially” (Politico). McCartt speculates this is due to poor enforcement, as a similar ban in Washington D.C. resulted in another fifty percent decline, only this one was sustained for more than a year after the law was put in place. Clearly strong enforcement is important, and well worth it; a fifty percent reduction in use of cell phones while driving is
It’s time to stop texting while driving. Most of the accidents are accused of distracted driving and most of the distractions are most of the time caused by cell phones. However, some opponents feel that creating a law against cell phone use infringes their personal rights. Other people assume that prohibiting from someone from using their cell phone is the same thing in just like telling someone that they can't adjust their radio or chat with someone else in the car. However, using a cell phone, whether you are texting or talking, while driving can be extremely dangerous; That should be made illegal in the fact that it is very hazardous to
Texting and driving should be illegal in all fifty states because of the catastrophic affects it has had on our country. It has become just as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than drunk driving. It kills thousands of people and injures hundreds of thousands annually. Whether people think they can shoot a text safely or they just aren’t aware of the dangers, it needs to come to a complete stop. To do this, laws need to be in place for any and all kinds of cellphone usage; adults, teenagers, elders, and bus drivers should be banned from picking up their phone while operating a vehicle. Consequences should also be in place for those who do not abide by them. No text is worth your life or anyone else’s.
Kratsas stated that according to the National Safety Council’s Annual injury and fatality report, 26% of the accident in the United States are caused by the use of cellphones. Using cellphones while driving has been a chronic problem in America. The U.S. government of transportation have been trying to make laws that forbid using cellphones behind the wheel. According to an article by Marino, “10 states plus D.C prohibit all drivers from using handheld cellphones, 32 states and D.C. prohibit novice drivers from cell phone use, and 30 states plus D.C. prohibit all drivers from text messaging.” Even though there are laws that forbid
Amy Norton’s 2015 article, states that enforcing texting while driving laws saw a decline in auto related hospitalizations by seven percent. This difference in hospital visits was especially seen in states that made texting while driving a primary offense. If texting while driving is simply kept as a secondary offense, many people will continue to do it at the expense of other’s lives. If texting while driving laws become a primary offense everywhere, police officers can stop accidents before they even start. This alone would save countless lives. Since studies involving strict cell phone laws have already been conducted and proven successful, there would be no drawbacks to enforcing these strict laws everywhere in the United States. In fact, once strict and consistent cell phone usage laws are enforced everywhere, the benefits will surely be even
There are 300 million cellphones in the world, now a higher number than the outrageous 254 million vehicles. Not surprisingly, it is becoming increasingly popular to use cell phones wherever you go, including in the car. As a result, officials are warning citizens against these habits and their fatal results. Many people do not realize that the dangers of using a phone while driving are just as great as the popularity, which brings the government to a pressing decision-are national laws the right direction to head, and if so, how will it impact society? There are many reasons for the government to synthesis laws against distracted driving, some of which include the following:education is not enough to turn distracted driving around, people are stubborn; they don't change without laws, and laws can work together with advertisements to further the cause-they don't have to be alone and separate in cause.
When we are in a classroom situation, we don’t think much of a phone going off in class, but when we are on the road, irresponsible use of cell phones can lead to endangerment of lives. Several people have before witnessed drivers distracted before. A person can be so distracted on social media, calling and chatting, emailing or texting that they can resemble drunk drivers. According to Delthia Ricks, “the number of teens who are dying or being injured as a result of texting while driving has skyrocketed as mobile device technology has advanced” (1). Iowa should enforce stricter laws on cell phone and technology use while driving.
Advancing technology in wireless communications is presenting a growing concern for distracted driving due to using cell phones and other electronic devices while driving. Although distracted driving accidents and fatalities have risen in the last decade, placing a ban on the use of a cell phone or other electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle as some states have will not resolve the issue. In fact a ban on cell phones and driving may very well increase the accident and fatality rate because drivers are now more involved with concealing their illegal behaviors. More citizen participation and drivers safety management should be more carefully considered in a transpiring situation such as this. More Americans should be
B. Specific Purpose: Persuade my audience that banning the use of cell phones while driving should be mandatory nationwide.
It is known that the use of cell phones, specifically handheld use such as texting, while driving decreases driver awareness and the overall safety of roads. In response to this knowledge, some states have passed laws that have outlawed the usage of handheld devices, and while there should be laws that definitively outlaw handheld usage, is there enough empirical evidence to outlaw hands free usage of cell phones? In other words, does handsfree usage of cell phones, via bluetooth, speakerphone, etc., distract drivers enough to the point where states should legally ban the total use cell phones while driving. The following essay will introduce arguments for both sides of this topic, one for hands free cell phone usage and the other against cell phones usage entirely.