Essay On Distracted Driving

In a portable technology world, texting while driving is at its largest problem than ever before, especially towards the young inexperienced drivers.

Distracted driving poses an immense problem across the United States, and the issue only seems to continue growing. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “In 2015 alone, 3,477 people were killed” in cases involving distracted driving, and of those killed, “teens were the largest age group reported as distracted at the time of fatal crashes” (“Distracted Driving”, n.d.). These terrifying statistics cannot be ignored. Distracted driving is a national epidemic, and unless society addresses the problem properly and efficiently, the risky driving behavior will continue to plague our streets, endangering peoples’ lives and leading to more fatalities.

Laws should be created and enforced for people who are texting while driving because it increases death rates, accidents, and more money will be paid to repair the car. Distracted drivers could be driving while eating, talking to passengers, or using the GPS. However, texting while driving is considered to be the most hazardous act. When people use their phones while driving they are putting their life and the people around them at risk. According to statistics compiled by the Department of Transportation in 2018, 3,477 people died and another 391,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes caused by drivers who were distracted because they were texting or using cell phones.

Distracted driving is a broad term to describe all of the distractions one can experience while behind the wheel of a vehicle. There are several distractions that can happen inside a vehicle. A common example of a distraction that can be experienced is texting while driving.The concept of people getting distracted while driving is certainly not a new one. There have been reports of accidents occuring as a result of a distracted drivers ever since the time of the first car. Though granted that

Distracted driving in America is not a trivial issue in today's society. On average, eight people are killed and one thousand one hundred sixty one people are injured due to accidents involving distracted drivers, particularly due to texting. Distracted driving is a huge issue in our society. The risks are great and lead to unfathomable results. Distracted driving has also taken such a big toll on our Nation, that laws have been put in place in hopes of preventing distracted driving.

Distracted driving affects all drivers from time to time and can come off with stiff consequences . Any activity that diverts attention from driving could put you and someone else in danger .Being distracted while driving , and the issues behind it could ruin someone's life.

Tom Vanderbilt, author of “Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do (and What it Says About us)” claims that text messaging while driving, or “distracted driving” is comparable to drunk driving in the 1950s. He says “The Science is clear, the laws were becoming clearer, but the culture against drunken driving hadn’t manifested” (Politico). I agree with Vanderbilt; it’s clear that distracted driving puts drivers and passengers at significant risk, yet laws are only now starting to appear concerning the issue, and it’s not yet culturally unacceptable.

Distracted driving, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, include things like talking on your cell phone, texting, emailing and even eating (“Distracted Driving.”). Being distracted for even a few seconds can be deadly. Every day over 9 people are killed and more than 1,000 injured in accidents associated with distracted drivers, according to the CDC (“Distracted Driving.”). This heartbreaking statistic could be reduced if States would do more to prevent distracted driving. Florida recently took action and banned texting and driving. This law, however, is not enough to reduce the tragedies caused by distracted driving.

Hillary Coltharp was a 26 year old who loved playing with her son, partying with friends and family, and working at a local hair salon. Unfortunately, due to distracted driving, that was all about to change. As Hillary was heading to meet her family for dinner when her family called to check on her. After ensuring her family that she was on her way, Hillary began to text while she was driving. After a while, her family began to worry and started to look for her. As they made it to highway they discover Hillary’s convertible being placed on a tow truck. Distracted driving had caused her to lose control of her vehicle, cross the median, roll three times and finally, be ejected 75 feet from her vehicle. She suffered a skull fracture, a major brain injury, broken bones, a collapsed lung and countless other injuries (KOHP). This is just one example of how just one text can ruin a life. Distracted driving is very dangerous and it only takes a few second to cause a fatal accident, therefore, texting and driving should be illegal.

Distracted driving is obviously a big deal but some people don’t seem to think so. They see all the accidents that happen because of distracted driving but they continue to do it because they think “ oh it’ll never happen to me “ or “it doesn’t happen to anyone i know so why would it happen to me” well it can happen to anyone at anytime.While you may have your phone out because of an emergency going on, all distractions, including make up,food, and phones should be put up while driving and if there are passengers in the car they need to be quiet so that the driver can focus. If the driver has out a distraction while driving, they're going to try to pay attention to the road and the distraction, in other words they try to multitask. 31% of U.S drivers ages 18-64 admitted to sending or reading a text while driving , in 2012 3,328 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver. When you’re driving, be considerate.Put down your phone while you’re driving, if you know it’s not safe then why do it.Think about other drivers on the road, by texting and driving you’re not only putting yourself at risk you’re putting others lives at risk too. We need tougher laws on texting and driving just

Personally, growing up around new technological advances such as the rise of social media has impacted my own life because I have seen friends of mine become distracted while driving firsthand, for this reason, I believe as a nation we should take action to minimize accidents caused by this epidemic. Some ways we can begin this effort is by teaching the negative consequences of distracted driving by accordingly enforcing laws, instituting fines, as well as making its awareness a mandatory topic in drivers ed classes and in driving tests throughout the country. Although as a society before driving we should encourage silencing our cell phones, using driving apps to avoid distractions, or setting up priority settings beforehand for emergency calls or notifications. By using a combination of assets such as law enforcement, government mandates, societal influence, phone settings, and spreading awareness we can better educate the public and end distracted driving.

According to Distracted Driving.gov, The Official US Government Website for Distracted Driving, 3,179 people were killed, and 431,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2014. AT&T's Teen Driver Survey states that 97% of teens agree that texting while driving is dangerous, yet 43% do it anyway, as posted on DoSomething.org

Distracted driving is defined as engaging in any other activity while driving a vehicle, including using a cell phone or some other electronic device. Statistics released by the federal government paint a grim picture as more than 3,100 people were killed and another 424,000 were injured in 2013, the most recent year such data was available. The individual states enact and oversee motor vehicle laws, thus the following distracted driving laws should always be kept in mind.

WARNING!! There is currently a dangerous epidemic outbreak of accidents caused by distracted driving all across the United States. Many believe that this outbreak only affects teenagers. Although, according to The Texas Department of Transportation in 2015 there has been over 105,000 of these accidents deals with teenagers and adults as the driver due to distracted driving. Safe driving is described as a complex procedure that requires 100 percent of focus and concentration. While, distractive driving is defined as any time the driver takes their eyes off the road for even a split second due to any distraction. These distractions can range from eating to using any electronic device and even talking to others inside and outside the car. There are countless of cases after cases about drivers being distracted and getting into fatal car

Distracted driving is an increasing problem in the United States and among younger drivers. According to reports, distracted driving is similar to drunk driving because it diverts the person’s attention away from driving. Every year, thousands of people die from distracted driving. With laws, education, and campaigns could reduce the amount of deaths per year ("Facts and Statistics").