Ever since the creation of portable technology, people have found a way to distract themselves from the responsibilities of safely operating a vehicle. The first distractions while driving a vehicle began with something as simple as the car radio. As technology progressed, the devices became more complex and required more attention to operate them. Recently, the biggest distraction for drivers is using smartphones to send text messages or to interact with others through social media. People fail to realize the dangers that are associated with distracted driving. The Department of Transportation reported 100,917 distracted driving crashes in 2014, resulting in 483 fatalities and more than 3,000 serious injuries. Compared with 2013, distracted-driving crashes in Texas have increased by 6 percent (“Cell Phone” 2008). The broad meaning of the phrase, distracted driving is any activity that could divert a driver’s attention while operating a vehicle. My paper will focus solely on distracted driving while using a handheld electronic device. People that use a mobile device while driving are completely aware of the consequences that can result. However, they consciously choose to put themselves at risk without regard for others on the road. According to the Texas Transportation Institute, nearly 45 percent of Texas drivers admitted to using a mobile phone while driving, even though 83 percent of them agreed that talking on mobile phones while driving is dangerous (“Talk, Text”
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.
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.
The risks of distracted driving are great and lead to unfathomable results. According to The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP), there are three main types of distracted driving. The first is visual - taking your eyes off of the road. The second is manual- taking your hands off of the wheel, and the third is cognitive - taking your mind off of driving (CDCP). While all of these exist amongst distracted drivers, the major distraction for most people is visual and manual. For example, whether an individual is changing the radio or the most common and dangerous thing, texting; particularly because texting involves all three forms. It involves
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
Many people have lost their lives on the road and caused other’s deaths because they were distracted with doing something while driving. In 2012, 3,328 people were killed in distraction-related crashes (“Statistics on Texting & Cell Phone Use While Driving” n.d.). Distractions while driving that result in these accidents include texting/making a call or becoming intoxicated and having high blood alcohol concentration. Many laws have been brought forth to help regulate the amount of people drinking while driving and using a cell phone while driving. Not only do people put their own lives in danger, they are also putting other’s lives in danger. People who take part in these distractions are not being responsible when making these rash decisions while driving and creating a hazardous environment for those around them.
The state of Iowa is not doing enough to prevent distracted driving. Although the government has passed laws to prevent people from using their electronic devices and attempting other tasks behind the wheel, the law is not fully enforced by law enforcement officers. Iowa doesnt need more laws, they should send every new driver though a class to teach them about the dangers of distracted driving. some may say that distracted driving isnt something the government should worry about as it is a personal choice whether you drive distracted or not, this has some merit but, when someone chooses to drive while distracted they are not only putting themselfs in danger but everyone else that is on that road beside that driver as well. in the world today
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.
It was a fine night in 2007 after one teenager was driving five others home from prom when the car just immediately stopped with a huge crash. It was 2 a.m. in the morning while one distracted driver and five teens sitting in the back seat. Whatever it may have been, “the crash was caused by drowsiness or distraction, or both” (Copeland). The driver may have been using their phone to get home without any knowledge of what they were doing. All five of the teenagers were ejected out of the car and one female, Lacey, who was not driving, was killed. Even after the death of Lacey, her parents regret not giving her the information about road rules and distractions. This is many of the stories that may not catch anyone's eye even though it is one of the most commons ways for injuries and deaths.
Distracted driving is a large and growing problem on our roads today. Cell phones have created a whole new form of distraction and they are largely responsible for the almost 6,000 highway deaths each year that involve distracted driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It is danger for teens to be driving without safety. 11 teens die everyday as a result of texting and driving. No drinking while driving nor texting. Put safety first such as putting on your seatbelt.
Distracted Driving ranks at the forefront of many drivers thinking for traffic safety. 80% of drivers at the AAA foundation say that distracted driving is a serious problem, and a behavior that makes them feel less safe on the road. 50% of the people say that they feel less safe this year than they did 5 years ago because distracted driving has increased. Federal estimates say that 16% of the fatal crashes are due to distracted driving, leading to around 5,000 deaths each year. Research has concluded that distraction lasts about 27 seconds longer, which means even after a driver puts down their phone, they aren’t fully engaged in their driving tasks. AAA believes that by educating the public on how mental and physical distractions can impair
Distracted driving is second on the list and is expected to rise in years to come (Wilson &Stimpson, 2010). In 2008, one in every six fatal crashes was a result of distracted driving. Studies showed that drivers who text and drive were 23 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash (Wilson &Stimpson, 2010). Approximately 660,000 drivers are manipulating some kind of electronic device or cell phone while driving on U.S. highways (Wilson &Stimpson, 2010). In 2012, 3328 fatalities and 421,000 injuries were a result of this hazardous behavior (Wilson &Stimpson,
Being the cause of a cell phone related accident can leave a person unable to handle the consequences of their actions. There is great concern regarding the dangers of distracted driving. This is made evident by legislation that has been put in place in the United States. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (2011), nationwide, 34 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam have enacted texting bans. Current data from the National Safety Council (2010) suggest that each year, at least 1.6 million traffic accidents (28% of all crashes) in the United States are caused by drivers talking on cell phones or texting. The U.S. Department of Transportation (2011) states that nine states, the District of Columbia, and
Even though we have fast forward 13 years, this study is still reflected in today’s time. This study is still prevalent in my own life. As a relatively new and under experienced driver, this study expresses to me that, even if I am using a hands-free cell phone, I am still creating a dangerous distraction to others and myself. The use of cell phones while driving is becoming ever-so common among all current drivers. Every day, new and innovative ways to talk, text, and even search the web on cell phones while driving are being introduced. Instead of directly conducting these tasks through the phone, our population is able to dictate into the automobile’s microphone what song to play, what directions to give them while driving, and list the nearest restaurants. This creates more of a distraction than ever to drivers whose concentration should remain solely on the road. With the advertisements in the media presently, it reminds me that any text, phone call, or email can wait is not worth my life or the innocent lives of
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
alone every year. The issue of driving while talking on a cell phone has become serious enough that five states have passed laws prohibiting this type of act and making it a primary offense to do so. Not only are drivers talking behind the wheel, but many have admitted to engaging in even more potentially dangerous behavior with their phones such as text messaging and surfing the internet. A distracted driver is a dangerous one. If you are focused on a conversation and your eyes are not on the road, drivers cannot be expected to make a quick and safe decision should the need for one arise. The behavior of a driver while using a cell phone has been compared to that of one driving while under the influence. Studies have shown that those who use a cell phone while driving are four times more likely to be involved in a crash than those who don’t.