Lone Star College Don’t Text, Just Drive: Texting While Driving Adam Polkinghorn GOVT - 2305 6005 Professor Ricard 14 April 2017 Adam Polkinghorn Professor Sarah Ricard GOVT-2305 6005 14 April 2017 Don’t Text, Just Drive: Texting and Driving “I hope you brought a phone charger!” Rachel said excitedly as she started up the car. “This is going to be a long drive and I can’t have my phone die, but, at least texting doesn’t use much battery.” George shook his head and plugged the phone charger into the cigarette lighter. “It’s a good thing I’m a great multitasker, even while driving,” stated Rachel. As Rachel pulled out onto a busy road, with her new cell phone in one hand and her other on the steering wheel, George …show more content…
683). It makes sense to target the next wave of young drivers with education on the dangers of texting while driving. Even if a small portion of younger drivers can be properly educated then they will be able to stem the increase of drivers that choose to text while driving. If they fully understand the dangers associated with driving while distracted, the more likely it’ll be that they choose not to be influenced by social acceptance of this dangerous habit. However, targeting the younger drivers with educational campaigns may not be the sole solution to deter this potentially life-taking habit of today’s drivers. Through the improvement and enactment of primary vs secondary laws and the enforcement of the former, would help minimize the number of accidents and fatalities. Ferdinand et al (2014) concluded, “Our analyses indicate that primarily enforced texting laws are associated with fatality reductions among younger individuals, both drivers and nondrivers [sic]” (p. 1375). By enabling law enforcement to better enforce a primary law that bans the act of texting while driving, the high number of fatal accidents would decline. But, some, if not most people nowadays, particularly the younger generation, would not respond as well to heavily enforced laws with accompanying fines. So, there must be a more attractive, extralegal option to discourage those who continue to tempt fate and drive distracted. Seeking out and choosing an extralegal option to implement
The importance of texting while driving should be addressed to anyone obtaining a valid driver’s license and can operate a vehicle. This particular proposal should develop a direct impact on life because it gives people a chance to see what can happen if a person continue to text and drive. People really need to understand how easily it is take the life of someone else or even themselves. And most of the time in many cases relating to this particular problem, it is always is the age groups ranging from 16 years of age to 30 years of age. I wish that this problem can get resolved quickly to avoid many accidents and death. Some
According to kelly (2012), about “six billion messages are sent a day and over 2.2 trillion in the US, (Kelly, 2012). The worst violators are high school seniors, 58% have said they have texted while they were driving within the month before the study (Bratsis,2013).” That is a lot of teens that are texting nowadays. The majority of teenagers argue that “texting and driving is a “common” thing to do.” but when not only their lives but also other
Nearly nine in 10 teenage drivers have engaged in distracted driving even though they know that their actions increase their risk of getting into a car accident (Copeland). Drivers know that what they do is unacceptable but they still do it. Distracted driving is any activity that can distract a person’s attention away from driving (“Facts and Statistics”). Distracted driving can include changing the radio station, texting, eating, looking at an advertisement at the side of the road, or talking on the phone. There has been an issue in whether tougher laws are needed for distracted driving. To most people, tougher laws will make drivers not drive and be distracted because there will be a major consequence to it. Even though tougher laws will help some individuals,
Ever wonder how your life would be if you killed someone while driving and texting? Think of it this way, it could be your friend, your child, someone you love with all of your heart or even you. How would this affect you, your family or the family of someone else you could easily hurt? During this essay I will persuade you why Idaho should enact Legislation which prohibits texting while driving with statistics, facts and my own personal experience.
Have you ever lost a close friend or family member from them texting and driving or someone else texting and driving? I am sure you have been one to text and drive also as much as we hate to admit it. Would you want to be the one who killed yourself or someone just because of that one text? I have personally known two young girls who have been killed from texting and driving. Both were on the same road exactly five months apart. Here is why I believe every state needs a no texting and driving law to ensure that our roads are safe from those individuals who insist on texting while driving.
In modern Society Technology is increasingly prevalent. With 82% of 16 year olds owning a cell phone the risks of use behind the wheel are increasing monumentally. According to research, even using a hands-free device to talk does not completely reduce the risk of getting into an accident. According to the Highway Safety Association people using a cell phone while driving are 23 times more likely to get in an accident. Studies show that humans are only able to multitask to a certain point and while behind the wheel the risks are just too high (Copeland). The majority legislators understand the hazards of phone use in a car, but continuously refuse to ban and create laws to prevent it. The statistics back up the hazards of distracted driving yet the government refuses to prevent the danger.
According to Winfrey, how is texting while driving similar to driving while drunk? How is it different?
Fatality Analysis Reporting System concluded that “primarily enforced laws banning all drivers (teens and adults) from texting associated with a reduction in traffic fatalities in all age groups” (qtd "Research & Statistics." End Distracted Driving). This reduction includes an average of 19 people per state per year. With this law alone, an averaged total of 950 citizens can be saved every year! “States banning only young drivers from texting with primary enforcement had the greatest impact on reducing deaths among ages 15 to 21, and handheld bans appeared to be the most effective for adults” (qtd End Distracted Driving). Consequently, enforcement is the clear answer to distracted driving
Currently, there is a law regarding the use of devices while driving in the Commonwealth of Virginia. According to the state agency, Department of Motor Vehicles drivers under the age of 18 years old are outright banned from using cell phones or any sort of personal communication devices while driving. In fact texting is banned for all drivers. In Virginia, it is considered a primary offense, meaning the police can pull you over if they suspect you of texting while driving. The first time this happens the fine is $125 and $250 for offenses thereafter. A website titled “Virginia Decoded” shows the use of devices while driving specifically defined as:
V: Conclusion: Therefore according to the facts and statistics that were shown previously, people that are still texting while driving might think that they can juggle these big frames of steel they drive every day, with devices like their cell phones without paying the price, are greatly mistaken! First off, no one can say that texting while driving is not one if not the most dangerous action one can do behind a motorized vehicle. What can refute that problem that seems all around us whether commuting or not. Consequently due to the nature of the cell phone use while behind the wheel drivers should not have permission under any circumstance to text while driving. Regardless of the stance every individual takes on this matter, people need to realize the importance of this issue and implement the good driving behaviors. As
It was the case Kubert v. Best (pg.228) that piqued interest on the hot topic of texting and driving … although it’s not just texting and driving that’s the issue. In fact, it’s not just distracted driving that’s the issue. The root cause is failure to take the utmost responsibility for our actions that affects our, and others, well-being. Open for discussion is the who, what, when, where, and why, of distracted driving, especially where age, hence experience, is concerned.
The purpose of this proposal is to identify the measures that would be most effective at preventing people from texting and driving.
In order to address this crisis, new methods need to be developed to impress the hazards associated with texting and driving upon teen-age drivers. If they were held more accountable for their actions, and were able to
Imagine driving to work and out of nowhere a car is veering into the same lane, almost causing a crash. Lately, getting easily distracted by a small device on roadways has led to more teen deaths. Being able to get a license may be a big dream for many, but can become frightening in a matter of seconds. In today’s society, texting and driving is one of the many big problems in the United States. Being able to send a message through text without picking up the phone, via speaker, to have a conversation has been a big thing with cell phones. Even though there are laws to eliminate texting and driving, the rate of people who text and drive are rising and is actually more dangerous on the road now. The solution to this problem is simple: there
Stephanie Hanes a journalist who has worked for renowned publications including USA Today is of view that, individual no matter how good he is at multitasking stands at the danger of being a cause of an accident. Research in 2014 conducted by McCartt, Kidd and Teoh funded by Highway Loss Data Institute, concluded that the accident rate in states that have imposed a ban on texting during driving are similar that in states with no such law. This is clear evidence that law is ineffective. While driving unforeseen events including an animal appearing from nowhere might occur; if driver attention is at his phone, slow response might put the driver and the animal in a dangerous situation. Texting while driving is an addiction that takes the driver