Research Paper On Distracted Driving

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.

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.

Distracted driving affects all drivers from time to time and can come off with stiff consequences . Any activity that diverts attention from driving could put you and someone else in danger .Being distracted while driving , and the issues behind it could ruin someone's life.

Distracted driving has been the most recent cause of accidents on the road presently. Of course there are many other reasons why drivers get into accidents, but it is mainly because they get distracted. Police in El Cerrito, California even gave more than 600 citations in April to drivers for distracted driving violations (“El Cerrito”).Also,“nearly 6,000 people were killed and a half-million injured last year in the U.S. due to drivers being distracted”(“Distracted”).Distracted driving today causes many accidents through the use of technology, eating and drinking, and children in the backseat.

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.

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

According to Distracted Driving.gov, The Official US Government Website for Distracted Driving, 3,179 people were killed, and 431,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2014. AT&T's Teen Driver Survey states that 97% of teens agree that texting while driving is dangerous, yet 43% do it anyway, as posted on DoSomething.org

WARNING!! There is currently a dangerous epidemic outbreak of accidents caused by distracted driving all across the United States. Many believe that this outbreak only affects teenagers. Although, according to The Texas Department of Transportation in 2015 there has been over 105,000 of these accidents deals with teenagers and adults as the driver due to distracted driving. Safe driving is described as a complex procedure that requires 100 percent of focus and concentration. While, distractive driving is defined as any time the driver takes their eyes off the road for even a split second due to any distraction. These distractions can range from eating to using any electronic device and even talking to others inside and outside the car. There are countless of cases after cases about drivers being distracted and getting into fatal car

Distracted driving is an increasing problem in the United States and among younger drivers. According to reports, distracted driving is similar to drunk driving because it diverts the person’s attention away from driving. Every year, thousands of people die from distracted driving. With laws, education, and campaigns could reduce the amount of deaths per year ("Facts and Statistics").

In our fast-paced world, people often attempt to multitask. While multitasking works great at times, multitasking while driving leads to distracted driving. Unfortunately, distracted driving can lead to car wrecks, some of which result in fatalities. While not all driving distraction can be completely eliminated, there are several things you can do to avoid becoming a distracted driver.

“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.

Today the increased liability placed on employers for employees using electronic devices in increasing. This type of distracted driving cost businesses millions of dollars each year in related law suits, workmen’s comp. claims, and monetary loss due to the physical loss of property. Employers need to address distracted driving and implement a policy to promote a device free driving environment. This policy will help employers promote safe driving habits, and may reduce employer liability in the event of an accident.

Distracted driving is one of the fastest growing problems in the United States.   It is starting to be considered as serious as drunk driving based on the dangerous outcomes.  According to the Department of Transportation (2012), “distracted driving was a cause of roughly 450,000 accident-related injuries and nearly 5,500 fatalities in 2009 alone” (para. 1). Drivers who allow themselves to become distracted while driving are not only endangering themselves, but other innocent bystanders.

Today, texting while driving out numbers the amount of drunk driving according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Texting while driving is six times more likely to cause a wreck than drunk driving. You are 23 times more likely to wreck if you are texting. Texting while driving is equal to driving bind for 5 seconds each text. Out of the worlds’ population of over 7 billion, at any given moment all over the world, over 800,000 drivers are texting. Drivers think they can handle looking away for a second to reply, or read a message. By doing this you are decreasing your break reaction time by 18% (national). “The concentration needed for safe driving makes texting safely at the same time impossible” (Bratsis 70). According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, (C.D.C.)