Should Drivers of Automobiles Be Prohibited from Using Cellular Phones - Essay Example

According to the new guidelines proposed by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), automobile drivers should avoid using cell phones while driving except during emergencies. This move has been made to reduce the number of cell phone related road accidents that has been on the rise in the recent years. The NTSB has strongly voiced against cell phone use stating that taking a call or texting is not worth a human life. The board maintains that using mobiles while driving, even with the hands-free devices, is definitely a source of distraction to the drivers. Following this recommendation several companies are strongly advising their employees against the use of cell phones and about 20% of the Fortune 500 companies have banned its use and many other are introducing new cell phone policies. However, despite these strong protests certain groups have maintained that there is no concrete connection between using mobiles while driving and road accidents as drivers who are prone to crashes may do so irrespective of whether or not they are using the device. Apart from cell phones the driver could be distracted by other sources such as speed driving, engaging in a conversation or driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs that would affect the concentration. Posing a mere ban on using cell phones cannot bring down the accident rate unless the public are educated about the risks associated with inattentive driving. Arguments in favor of the ban The NTSB has quoted studies which have found that drivers using cell phones while driving are more accident prone compared to the non-engaging drivers. With the advent of hands-free devices, smart phones and other similar gadgets, the probability of distracted driving is only greater. However, the NTSB is not directly proposing a federal action to be taken against such drivers, but it has recommended that all the states within the US introduce laws and regulations that ban the use of cellular phones by automobile drivers. Reports from the National Safety Council state that of the 5.4 million car crashes in the US during the year 2010 about 1.1 million cases involved drivers who were conversing on the mobiles during the time of the accident and about 3% of them involved drivers who were texting on their mobiles. While most states have already implemented a ban on texting while driving, some have banned the use of all hand-held phones. The use of hands-free has still not come under any regulation and the NTSB wants states to also address this issue as it believes that engaging in any form of conversation while driving is a source of distraction that could have a negative impact on the driver’s concentration. Several companies are also following suit by implementing policies that ban the use of mobiles while driving. Owens Corning which is situated in Ohio has put up signs that urge employees to refrain from taking business calls while driving as it believes that when there is a potential risk to life it is not wise to engage in conversations over the cell phone. The National Safety Council, which is a non-profit advocacy organization, has stated in its report that about 20% of the Fortune 500 companies have implemented a complete ban on the use of cell phones and this number is only increasing with several more companies adopting policies on the use of cell phones while driving. Further the council has also recommended a complete ban on the use of mobiles including the hands-free operation as it was found to be no-safer than the hand-held devices. One of the earliest companies to introduce such as ban was Shell International which introduced the ban to reduce fatalities among its employees and contractors due to cell phone use while driving. In addition to advocating the ban the company also strictly enforces the policy which could even result in termination of the employee if not followed. The company has policies in place even for business trips during which drivers can take rest stops to make return calls on their mobiles. Following the implementation the company has reported a major reduction in the number of driving related accidents. While using cell phones is an important factor the company has also introduced other policies such as speed reduction and avoiding intake of alcohol and other drugs prior to driving vehicles. While the employees of Owens Corning did not initially find the ban useful stating that the use of cell phones was not a source of distraction, officials of the company took time to explain the potential risks involved and further suggested that calls can be taken at their convenience and that policies were in place by which participants of a call should be asked whether they are in a safe position before taking the call. The National Safety Council also found that such adjustments did in no way affect the overall productivity of the organization and unless critical, business calls can be avoided during driving. Companies are increasing adopting such policies as over the past years there have been several instances where the companies have been made liable to pay compensations owing to driving-related accidents of their employers. Arguments against the ban However, while the support for bans on the use of cell phones while driving is on the rise many individuals do not believe that such a ban would be beneficial in any way. While scientific studies do support the fact that using cell phones could possibly impair the ability of drivers to handle their vehicles, the majority of those who are against the ban maintain that reckless drivers will always be prone to accidents and crashes irrespective of whether they use a mobile while driving or not. When not using the phone these drivers are nevertheless going to engage in some other distractive way such as chatting with a co-passenger or peer through the window frequently. When drivers answer or make calls frequently it is only an indication that they are willing to engage in risky taking as opposed to those who would want to pull up the vehicle before they take a call keeping in mind their safety as well as that of the public. On the other hand people who are attentive while driving would naturally focus on the road even if they are using the mobile. Certain groups such as the Consumer Electronics Association have expressed support for regulations that ban texting while driving, but have strongly opposed a total ban against the use of mobile phones while driving. Individuals such as the President of the highly reputed Celebrity Fashion Group, Bruce Ross, opposed the ban stating that using hands-free devices while driving has never been an issue to him and instead it has only contributed to his work productivity. Banning the use of cell phones while driving has reduced its usage, however reports have clearly shown that there has not been any significant reduction in the number of accidents and crashes. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety which is an independent research and educational organization and is part of the American Automobile Association that surveys more than 3000 drivers every year has proposed that only changes in their attitude and behavior and education about the measures to be followed for road safety will only bring about significant reduction in the number of accidents. In addition, cars can also be fitted with safety systems such as sensors and warning systems that would serve to alert drivers who are distracted. This would be a more effective strategy than merely imposing a ban on the use of mobiles while driving. Thus while a ban on hand-held devices does make sense as drivers would allow the drivers to keep their hands on the steering wheel, imposing a total ban is unnecessary as it is not always possible to refrain from taking calls more so during emergency situations. Thus prohibition of cell phone use by drivers is a widely debated issue with people having divide opinions about the ban. While those who support a total ban on the use of mobiles maintain that avoiding cell phone use will bring down the number of accidents and crashes, and those who are not in favor of the ban argue that reduction in accident rates cannot be brought about through such bans alone as drivers who are naturally prone to distractions will find other ways to engage themselves. An effective reduction in the accident rate can only be achieved through awareness and education about the harmful effects of distracted driving both to the drivers as well as the public. Read More