Introduction
Five years ago, the National Transportation Safety Board called for a ban on the use of cellphone which including hands-held and hands-free devices while driving. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association’s update in 2016, talking on a hand-held cellphone while driving is banned in 14 states; Text messaging while driving is banned for all drivers in 46 states. Although there is no regulation on using hands-free devices while driving yet, the company Verizon Wireless is concern whether the behavior is truly risk-free or not? The goal of the report is to examine this potential problem and come up with possible solution.
Problems: Cognitive Distraction & Visual Impact
A study from neuroscientist Marcel Just, Professor
The most recent research that the author has is from 2008 and in order for this essay to be prominent it should be redrafted and updated research should be added due to technological advances and laws that have been put into place regarding cell phone use while driving. I disagree with the author because in my experiences I have found it considerably easier to use my phone in the car hands free rather than holding it. In my opinion, it is naïve to believe that drivers in general are not going to use their phones at all while driving, and it is safer to supply people with the safe and unassailable solution of hands-free communication. Although not touching my phone is the safest and best answer to the dangers of texting and driving, in most instances, it is unrealistic and quixotic, so although Cruz’s essay was well meaning, I’ll take the more pragmatic approach to this and continue to do what I am doing, using my phone minimally and hands-free during my time behind the
Nearly 6,000 people are killed connecting to the outcome of cell phone use while driving, according to Edmunds.com (7). Texting and talking on the phone throughout the time that a person is driving can have deadly consequences, but people still don’t seem to want to give up risking their life. There are many issues that can happen while on the road related to the usage of cell phones. It is important to stop people from looking at their phones while driving, because it is extremely distracting and not safe. Even hands free devices are not as safe as they seem to be. There have to be consequences for people using their cell phones while driving in order to improve the people’s safety. According to Edmunds.com, cell phones are known as distractions everywhere in the world and have created several concerns to several countries (9).
Cell phones have become an essential part of many peoples’ lives as they are one of the main sources of communication. People are able to complete many tasks using their phones, such as making phone calls, sending and receiving e-mails, text messaging, and even snapping photos. Cell phones are not only beneficial, but they are impactful in many ways. As many positive uses there are for cell phones, cell phone usage can be undoubtedly precarious while driving. Cell phone usage while driving is many times done irresponsibly and can put the driver at risk of getting injured. In addition to the driver getting injured, innocent pedestrians could also potentially lose their lives or be crippled due to a texting person who was driving at the same time. According to The Federal Communications Commission, “over 8 people are killed and approximately 1,161 are injured daily in incidents reported as distraction-affected crashes in the United States.” Texting while driving has become the number one distraction of drivers and main cause of car crashes. These crashes could result in hundreds of thousands of people either losing their lives or experiencing life-changing injuries. Although cell phone usage is an effective way to communicate with others and to complete certain tasks, it has become problematic for drivers in recent years as it increased the risk of injury and death while driving. For these reasons, texting while driving should be illegal and punishable by law.
Using a handheld cell phone could be one of the deadliest decisions you could make while operating a motor vehicle. The dangers and impact of using a cell phone while behind the wheel are numerous. One of the main reasons people still use their cell phones while driving is that there is no consistency in the laws across the country. Certain states have legislation that bans cell phone use, while other states only ban certain usage situations. Tough federal legislation is the only way to decrease the use of handheld cell phones while driving. The tougher the laws are, the less likely people will be to use
But even with being able to use hands free devices, drivers still tend to text and take phone calls whist in motion, and at any given time of the day 800,000 drivers are using hand-held phone while driving. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), and there was one fact that really made me realize how much of a problem
Drivers assume that hand free devices are safe to use. The main advantage to avoid using cell phone during driving is ensuring safety of driver, vehicle, and other people driving on the road. By making conversation, it is pertinent to highlight that hands-free phones have also similar negative impacts during driving; both distracts attention, although hands-free cell phones do not require manual
Two studies done by the Texas Transportation Institution of Transportation shows the dangers of texting and driving along with the addition of using hands-free technology while driving. (2,5). In the results of the texting and driving study drivers were known to have a 3 second delay to response task given to them while driving for the study (3). For the second study on the use of hands-free technology while driving, results gave a conclusion of “ Additionally, it took driver's longer to complete the same texting task using the voice-to-text applications than it did when texting manually”(2). Even the solution of hands-free technology given to us by phone companies didn’t work against the dangers of delayed response times and distracted driving times. Those who are affected by distracted driving often face emotional, physical and mental pain when involved in a car crashed related to the use of a cell phone while
It is known that the use of cell phones, specifically handheld use such as texting, while driving decreases driver awareness and the overall safety of roads. In response to this knowledge, some states have passed laws that have outlawed the use of handheld devices, and while there should be laws that definitively outlaw handheld usage, is there enough empirical evidence to outlaw hands free usage of cell phones? In other words, does hands free usage of cell phones, via bluetooth, speakerphone, etc., distract drivers enough to the point where states should legally ban the total use cell phones while driving? The following will introduce arguments for both sides of this topic, one for hands free cell phone usage and the other against cell
Using a cell phone while driving is an epidemic that has taken our nation by storm. Most drivers believe they can safely drive a motor vehicle while using their cell phones. The United States government must put an end to the use of the cell phones while operating a motor vehicle by taking action with laws prohibiting the use of these devices while operating a motor vehicle. There are three main points which supports the banning of cell phones while driving. First of all, by using the cell phone while driving, the driver will experience visual distraction which takes the driver 's eyes off the road onto the cell phone. Secondly, the driver will experience a physical distraction by having to release the steering wheel to attend to the cell phone. Lastly, the driver will experience a mental distraction which takes the driver 's mind away from their full concentration on the road. By banning the complete use of cell phones while driving a motor vehicle, our government would undoubtedly save lives.
When we are on the road wreck less driving can be caused by a number of situations, which ultimately is all related to the driver being irresponsible. Many of us have witnessed drivers so distracted by their cell phones that they often resemble drunk drivers and we 've all seen the commercials of the distracted drivers who look down to read that one message and now suffer permanent brain damage or have ended someone elses life.. “Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University used MRI brain scans to demonstrate that simply listening to a cell phone conversation while driving results in a drastic decrease in brain activity focused on driving” (Gershowitz 582). A common misconception is the thought that hands-free calling is safer than texting. This is very much untrue, the actual act of having a conversation causes the driver to be distracted. Texting while driving is more dangerous because texting requires cognitive functioning and requires the driver to take his eyes off the road. Distracted drivers often weave between lanes or forget to signal while driving; putting other drivers at risk while on the road. Recently, we have seen an increase in the concern over cell phone use while driving and an increase in legislation to prohibit this dangerous act. It is very important that cell phone use not only be regulated but strictly enforced because negligent drivers are a serious danger to
Deaths from distracted driving is at an all-time high and believed to be caused mostly by cell phone usage, as a result cell phone use should be banned while driving, only a few disagree, mostly those in the cell phone industry. Should they be banned? This is a tough question to answer. Most Americans want to hold on to cell phones while they drive. This is obvious. Just drive down the road and look at the car next to you. Almost every driver these days is on their phone, but they know the risks. If you ask them they tend to agree. Cell phones are a distraction that should be banned while driving. Even Bluetooth devices do not seem to be a big help, because it’s the dialing part that is the distraction. So, what is a safe driver to do?
It is common knowledge that the use of cell phones while driving decreases driver awareness and overall road safety, and in response to this knowledge, some states have passed laws that have prohibited the use of handheld devices. However, there are no laws banning hands free cell phone usage, despite research claiming hands free devices are just as dangerous handheld devices. But, does their usage distract drivers enough to the point where states should legally ban the total use cell phones while driving? The following will introduce arguments for both sides of this topic, one for hands free cell phone usage and the other against cell phones usage entirely.
Driving in general can be hazardous. Driving and having such a distraction as a cell phone at ear, or ringing somewhere in a car, is ten times more dangerous. Not surprisingly, drivers who use a cell phone while driving perceive cell phone use by others as less of a threat to their safety as do non-users. A huge number of accidents caused by talking on a cell phone. During the last 5 years texting has become insanely popular. It’s a great and convenient tool because people don’t have to call person to just say ‘ok’ on that dinner invitation. The worst part is that many people still think that texting while driving just that ‘ok’ is ok. Unfortunately, even with traffic police enforcing those ‘no cellphone’ laws, individuals still neglect those simple safety concerns. People need to start understanding themselves how dangerous it is.
It is known that the use of cell phones, specifically handheld use such as texting, while driving decreases driver awareness and the overall safety of roads. In response to this knowledge, some states have passed laws that have outlawed the usage of handheld devices, and while there should be laws that definitively outlaw handheld usage, is there enough empirical evidence to outlaw hands free usage of cell phones? In other words, does handsfree usage of cell phones, via bluetooth, speakerphone, etc., distract drivers enough to the point where states should legally ban the total use cell phones while driving. The following essay will introduce arguments for both sides of this topic, one for hands free cell phone usage and the other against cell phones usage entirely.
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.