Why the Use of Cell Phones Should Be Banned during Driving - Essay Example

?Cell Phone Use Cell Phone Use Introduction Growth in sales of cell phones has been witnessed since the inception of cell phones in US which took place during the 1980s. According to CTIA the number of mobile phone users has crossed the huge figure of 331 million US citizens (CTIA, 2012). During the early periods, cell phones were considered as a luxury and only the business class was able to tolerate its expenses. Today, almost every individual coming from different classes use cellular phones during their everyday life. These devices are utilized by individuals in various aspects of their everyday life; these devices are even commonly used while people are moving from one place to another. A huge population of drivers have reported using cell phones while they are driving. Increase in number of people using phones while travelling have resulted in several road accidents and have not only led to damage to assets but have even resulted in several deaths. These incidents have made policy makers stand against the use of cellular phones while driving and these concerns have been addressed through restrictions through rules and regulations. Jurisdictions that have not yet levied such bans are even debating over banning the use of cell phones while driving. This paper will argue on why the use of cell phone should be banned or restricted during driving and what measures are already in place to control this act. Body There have been various changes in trends on who uses cell phone devices and for what purposes, they are using these devices. According to Cain and Burris, the number of people using these devices for family business elevated from 40% to 61% during the era of 1990 and 1998 (Cain, 1999). The NHTSA reports that the 15% of individuals who have not graduated from high school, 26% of individuals who have graduated from high school 30% of those who have not yet completed collage and 40% of those who are collage pass outs are cell phone users (NHTSA, 1997). A common application of the use of this device is during driving a vehicle. The NHTSA and Cain and Burris reported that around 90% of the owners of mobile phone use the device during driving. The PCIA have reported that those who use mobile phones for over 1 hour per month account for 15% of the owners of this device, those who use it less than one hour but more than half an hour account for 15% of owners, those who use it between ten to thirty minutes account for 20% o the owners and those who use it more than one minute but less than 10 minutes account for 39% of the owners (PCIA, 1999). An accident can result not only in loss of property; it even results in loss of life. When an accident takes place, the people involved directly in the accident can experience hurt at the level of getting minor injuries to the extent of losing their lives. Accidents can lead to heavy damages to very expensive vehicles, along with the incident of damaging public assets. Other expenses or negative impacts of an accident include; loss of working hours, insurance cost, legal costs and huge health care bills. In case of an accident taking place in urban regions, huge traffic jams take place due to which the emergency service providers may not be able to respond in a timely manner and people end up losing their lives. The negative effects of a collision caused due to usage of hand held phones during driving have increased the concerns of policy makers, organizations and insurance companies and various other stake holders. When drivers use cell phones during the act of driving, they are indulged in various activities related to the use of cell phone while driving. Drivers engage in actions such as finding the device, dialling the number, sending and receiving messages and ending the call. These activities do not only distract drivers physically but even emotionally. Drivers are emotionally distracted if they are being a part of an emotional conversation. Odgers stated that drivers are highly distracted during the process of locating the phone and dialling or receiving a call (Odgers, 2000, p.352). Strayer on the other hand believes that drivers are most distracted while they are talking over the phone (Walker, 2005). Briem on the other hand have figured out that drivers are not entirely distracted due to talking; the level of distraction is higher if they are involved in an emotional talk (Briem, 1995). According to FARS, out of the total fatal accidents caused due to cell phone usage during 1994 and 1995 were 17 and 15 respectively (Cain, 1999). Their research even shows that most of these accidents are caused by those drivers who make the first strike in the collision. The NHTSA has reported various incidents where the driver of a vehicle was involved in one of the processes of using a cell phone and has ended up causing a collision (NHTSA, 1997). In one of the cases the driver was having a conversation over the phone while conducting a left turn and did not notice the traffic light changing to red and collided with another car. In all the jurisdictions of the US, driving negligently and carelessly has been prohibited. Various drivers have been sued for using cell phones while driving as the US law does not allows a vehicle driver to act negligently. This means that while driving if a particular act may result in an accident, the driver should not conduct that act. During the 9 year period of 1990 to 1999, 34 tort cases of accidents that were related to the use of phone were brought in front of US courts (Carter, 1999). Conclusion Research clearly proves that use of cell phone while driving can cause accidents and can result in heavy damages. Several incidents are every day reported which includes use of cell phones while driving. To decrease the amount of the losses and incidents, the policy makers should apply a ban to the use of cell phones during driving. References "U.S. Wireless Quick Facts." CTIA - The Wireless Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 July 2012. . Cain, A., Burris, M., & University of South Florida. (1999). Investigation of the use of mobile phones while driving. Tampa, Fla: Center for Urban Transportation Research, College of Engineering, University of South Florida. An investigation of the safety implications of wireless communications in vehicles. (1997). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Personal Communications Industry Association (PCIA). (1999). National poll on wireless issues and concerns, July 29, 1999. Odgers, P., & Keeling, B. L. (2000). Administrative office management: Complete course. Cincinnati, Ohio: South-Western Educational Pub. Walker, W. R., & Herrmann, D. J. (2005). Cognitive technology: Essays on the transformation of thought and society. Jefferson, N.C: McFarland & Co. Briem, V., & Hedman, L. R. (1995). Behavioral effects of mobile telephone use during simulated driving. Ergonomics, 38 (12), 2536-2562. Carter, T. (1999). Crash course for business; companies can be liable for accidents resulting from job-related cell phone use. ABA Journal, 85, 40. Read More