Distracted Driving Research Paper

Distracted driving is the leading cause of car accidents in America, followed by speeding, then drunk driving. A study performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTAS) found that 80% of car crashes were a direct result of distracted driving. There are three types of distractions for drivers: visual, cognitive, and manual. Cell phone usage whilst driving meets all three criteria for a distracted driver. When a person is using a phone they will take their eyes away from the road to look at the device (visual), they will think about the content of what they are looking at and take their mind off of the road (cognitive), and they will also take their hands off of the wheel to use the device (manual). There are many other reasons that can be attributed to distracted driving, like applying make-up or loud passengers in the car, but cell phone usage is becoming a rapidly growing concern, especially with younger drivers. The NHTAS identified that drivers under the age of 20 make up the highest proportion of distracted drivers that were involved in fatal crashes.

Distracted driving is very dangerous to everyone on the road ways.  Distracted driving is engaging in non-driving activities that distracts the driver from the primary task of driving (SIRS).  In 2015, 3,477 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver (CDC).  Each year about 421,000 people are injured in crashes involving a distracted driver (Edgar Snyder).   Drivers would not be texting if their message was not very important.   Distracted driving should be illegal and security devices in vehicles should be implemented in order to save lives.

In this article “Distracted Driving”, many distractions are mentioned other than just cell phone usage, such as changing the radio station or driving with kids in the back seat. It is stated that the dangers from distracted driving are because of the decrease in brain function and inability to pay full attention to the road. These practices lead to wrecks and in many cases death.

For my capstone project, I chose to focus on distracted driving. The reason I chose this topic is because I feel that this is a very well-known issue that people do not think about. Many people may look at their phone, change their radio station, or program GPS systems without thinking of the dangers of it. I chose this topic in order to try and make people think about what they are doing, and this may prevent accidents and fatalities in the future.

According to Ashley Gaddis from Counterpoint, “From 1999 to 2008, nearly fifty-two thousand people were killed in car crashes caused by distracted drivers” (n.pag.). Distracted driving started when technology became mobile and handheld. Many people have died and gotten injured from people not paying attention to the road. This problem has been growing as technology advances. Distracted driving is a big problem and there needs to be stronger penalties and laws in place to deter people from distracted driving.

Distracted driving is a major problem on the roads today. Not only is distracted driving dangerous for the driver himself but also for other people who happen to be on the same roads as them. The Annual AAA Foundation traffic safety culture index reports that 81.1% of drivers believe distraction is a serious problem and is a behavior that makes them feel unsafe

Distracted drivers are drivers that do not put their full concentration on driving. Most people use their phones while driving. People are so attached to their phones that they cannot wait until they get to their destination to use their phones. Many accidents are blamed on distracted drivers and most of the distraction is caused by cell phone usage. However, some opponents feel that creating a law against cell phone use diminish their personal rights.

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.

A distracted driver is anyone who diverts their attention from driving by either talking or texting, talking or performing any other multitasking activity on a mobile device while driving. on a mobile device eitherRegardless if the device is a hand-held hands on or hand-freeoff or multitasking while driving. All distractions are dangerous, but text messaging is the most hazardous because it requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver (Distraction.govDistracted Driving, 2013). Regardless of the ageage, sex, or expertise of a driver; a distracted driver is a danger to society. When we drive distractedFor the distracted driver, the result is the same, and it is just an accident waiting to happen. The fact is that, and the growing number of life changing accidents is inis on the rise. This practice does not only affect the driver but “all distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety” (Distracted Driving, 2013).

The fact that distracted driving poses a significant risk is undisputable. According to Janet Froetscher, president and CEO of the National Safety Council, “driver inattention causes 80% of

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.

Distracted driving is one of our main problems when people get into car accidents. This why some people want stricter laws on this topic. Everyone can change distracted driving by simply activating a driving mode on their cell phones, so when they are driving they cannot use their phones to text or call. The online article “All cell phones Should have a Driving Mode feature” states “It would eliminate the most common sources of distraction: phone calls, text messages, games and social media. It would disable all communication between the phone and the outside world, with the exceptions of GPS, navigation apps and emergency notification.” This article makes a good point by saying it could save many lives on the road ways because they are paying

Florida does do enough to prevent distracted driving. Florida has passed a law to prevent texting while driving, which is one of the most common forms of distracted driving. Although Florida has passed this law. There are still people who insist on disobeying the law and continue to risk the lives of many people. Not a lot of people realize that distracted driving not only affects themselves but everyone around them as well. This law has made people more aware of their surroundings. This has helped Florida decrease the number of deaths caused by distracted driving.

Distracted driving is one of the top causes of car accidents. In today’s society, we are so consumed in our phones, radios, mirrors, and food that we lose focus of what is most important at the time. While it may seem like just a moment when we take a peek at our text message, all it takes is one second to lose control of your vehicle. Engaging in other activities while driving not only puts your life at risk, but others in the car and on the road as well. Luckily, there are a few measures that can be taken to prevent being distracted while driving.

Most people you know and love drive a car. Most people you know and love get distracted from time to time. While over “424,000 people a year are injured from distracted driving, 3,000 people a year are killed from an incident” (Snyder 1). This could be those people you know and love. It could very well be yourself. Since distraction is a huge problem while driving, people blame cell phones, but there are other causes of distraction, so a solution would be to focus on manual (controllable) distractions. To understand distracted driving, the first step is to know what is included in that term.