Distracted Driving Research Paper

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Fatal car crashes and accidents cause by distracting driving. Mainly by teenagers. The parts of the problem are that fatal car accidents are caused each day by distracting driving. Americans confess in surveys that they are all still texting while driving, as well as using social media such as Facebook or Snapchat taking selfies behind the wheel. According to the federal website Distraction.gov at least 25 percent of teens respond to at least one text text message every time they drive, with 20 percent of teens admitting to extended text conversations while driving ( Elliot 21). The two solutions that I would implement to stop texting and driving are to install an app that enables any recent messages or notifications.

Distracted driving is a huge issue that in 2013 took the lives of 3,154 Americans, according to distraction.gov. As an up incoming driver I don’t believe Florida does enough to prevent distracted driving. Cell phones are becoming a bigger part of a life as we know it, and out of all the states that have distracted driving laws, Florida’s is the most lenient. Most people don’t care about distracted driving, they don’t realize how big of a deal it is. I didn’t, I didn’t really think anything of it, up until I watched a video called Red Asphalt V. It is an extremely graphic video about teenage driving. As I watched it I couldn’t help but think ‘what if that happened to someone Love?’ It’s a very scary thought, losing someone that you love like

In this assignment we have to choose whether we should answer the question "Does our state do enough to prevent distracted driving?" or "Can a PSA help reduce the number of distracted driving incidents?" My claim is that Florida doesn't do much when it comes to texting and driving. You can make as much PSA's as you want but people don't listen unless their are actual consequences. The texting and driving law are not punishable enough. When a cop catches you while you text and drive, these are consequences. A fine of $25 for a first offense, $50 for a second offense, and $75 for a third offense. These offense aren't taking seriously. I feel like the price should be in the 100's.

“In a split second you could ruin your future, injure or kill others, and tear a hole in the heart of everyone who loves you,” (Heit). This specific quote shows how the results of distracted driving not only affects you, but also those around you. Distracted driving has been a serious concern for many years. This subject has been an issue because of the dangers it brings to the safety of others. One major type of distracted driving includes texting and driving. which is becoming more popular in today’s society because many have cell phones. Another type of distracted driving is drinking and driving, this continues to stay a topic for many years. Although drinking and driving and texting and driving carry many similarities with the

A piblic service anouncement, or PSA, can help reduce distracted drivers because teens can see what might happen to them if they drive distracted, will see the ramifictions that someone else has gone through because of distracted driving, and they can see professional views on what will happen.

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: An Epidemic The majority of teenagers in the United States yearn to get their license; it is a right of passage to the open road, a statement of adulthood and freedom. Yet with this freedom comes the cliche trend of responsibility - a responsibility that manifests driving as a privilege, not a right. Yet despite such excitement that surrounds driving, there still exists a multitude of illegalities and neglectfulness when it comes to the practice. One such neglect includes distracted driving - a dangerous trend in society that has long been around.

How long can someone go without being distracted? A few hours, a week, or just even a day? While driving people are distracted with numerous things besides keeping their eyes on the road. Whether it’s changing the station, texting, talking to someone from the back seat, or just making a simple phone call. When people are distracted with other things, they tendency want to do that other thing rather than drive. Taking your eyes off the road for a split second could endanger yourself and others because you are distracted from your driving. In my opinion talking on your cellular phone should be illegal in every state because of how many accidents that have happened this past year.