Cellular Phone Use and Driving: A Problem in North Carolina - Article Example

Cellular Phone Use and Driving: A Problem in North Carolina Although they just came out on the market a little over 20 years ago, cellular phones areeverywhere today. Cellular phones come in all different shapes and sizes and to replace the home phone is the primary means through which people communicate with others. Accordingly, cellular phone users are found throughout the state of North Carolina and this invention has transformed the ways in which North Carolinians interact, relate, and do business with one another. Due to the prevalence of cell phone use today, recent studies have demonstrated that cell phone use while driving is a risky behavior with the potential to cause serious harm and even death. The purpose of this brief is to research a statewide problem which remains of topical and relevant. The danger associated with the use of cell phones while driving has become a national issue was important legal ramifications. Many states throughout the Union have sought to address this issue by banning the use of handheld devices, either to her to call someone to speak on the phone or to send a text message, while driving. While North Carolina has presently debated solutions to the problem associated with cell phone use and operating a motor vehicle, the best option for the state would be to ban the use of cell phones while driving. This is the best solution because it would effectively put an end dangers associated with talking on a cell phone and operating a vehicle. Presently however, the state of North Carolina has less substantial legislation on the books which does not aim for a wholesale ban but rather limits the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle to certain classifications of individuals. Arguing that this is insufficient to mitigate the risk, and outright ban would be the best solution. Aiming to address the use of cell phones while operating a vehicle, the following report will begin with an introduction to the problem which outlines why it is important, who is affected and why this issue should be on the governments agenda. The following, will explore the criteria that must be met for any solution to be acceptable to the wider public. This section will focus on both the capacities and the constraints that the government faces with respect to banning cell phone use in automobiles. Following this, two solutions to the problem will be outlined with analysis of who will be responsible for lamenting the solutions a summary table will compare and contrast both the pros and cons of each possible solution. In conclusion a recommendation section will outline the policy prescriptions for the state with respect to cell phone use and driving. Description of the Problem The issue of cell phone use while driving the vehicle is new but incredibly timely. Accordingly, statistics emphatically demonstrate that there is a heightened risk associated with driving a vehicle while using a handheld device. Whether one is speaking on the cell phone dialing a number or sending a text message, the risk that an accident will happen dramatically increases. According to the Virginia Tech driving Institute, the risk of an accident while driving and speaking on a cell phone cell phone increases by 2.8 times. Incredibly, text messaging is seen as much more dangerous and the likelihood that one will get into an accident while texting increases by an incredible 23.2 times. North Carolina is a state which is certainly impacted by the increased risk associated with the use of cell phone and operating a motor vehicle And many states have sought to address the important challenges associated with hand-held cell phone use while driving. According to a study in the online journal WebMD, speaking on a cell phone while driving a car is just as bad as driving under the influence of all. Quoting a study from the University of Utah, David Strayer emphatically argues that "The impairments associated with using a cell phone while driving can be as profound as those associated with driving while drunk,". Dr. Strayer undertook a comparative study which included both drivers who were drunk and drivers were texting and speaking on a cell phone in a simulated driving test. Dr. Strayer and his reached research team determined the consequences of driving while operating a handheld device such as a cell phone are just as severe as if one were driving drunk According to the conclusion of the above mentioned study, "clearly the safest course of action is not to use a cell phone while driving”. (Hitti, 2009; Lee, 2006). Criteria to be Met What are the criteria that must be met for a solution to the problem of cell phone use while driving? There are a variety of political criteria that must be met in order for solution to the problem associated with cell phone use while operating with vehicle. First and foremost, had been on cell phone use must be consistent with the U.S. Constitution, meaning that it will not infringe on any personal rights. Due to the politicized nature of cell phone use while driving, and being increasing tendency among states in the United States to ban cell phone use while driving, it is fair to say that such a ban does not impede on any rights enshrined within the U.S. Constitution. For restrictions on the use of cell phone use while driving, politicians with the North Carolina must sell this piece of legislation to their constituencies. This will be greatly facilitated by the fact that it is now a trend throughout North America to limit the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle. Accordingly, as of September 2009 ninteen states in the United States as well as the district come you didnt cell phone use while driving. Unfortunately North Dakota it not one of these states. The Canadian provinces of Québec and Ontario have also followed suit with the 19 states of the United States paving the way for a cell phone free North American driving climate. The following states, Colorado, Oregon and Illinois, have pending legislation which will make using a cell phone while driving the vehicle were texting illegal (2009 New Distracted, 2009). Thus, while affordability is not an issue in this particular context, the preceding demonstrates that prescriptions on use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle to not impede on U.S. Constitution and are also politically salable for the politicians of North Carolina. Possible Solution: Partial Ban The first possible solution to mitigate the risks associated with cell phone use while operating a motor vehicle would be to create a partial ban trigger which would restrict this dangerous behavior. According to the latest information provided, North Carolina does not have a handheld cell phone ban but has taken an incremental approach to tackling this important safety issue. He texting been will take place throughout the state of North Carolina effective December 1, 2009 and all drivers under the age of 18 is will the school bus drivers will be prohibited from using cell phones while operating a motor vehicle. The present course of action for the state of North Carolina has been to take a gradual approach to addressing some of the issues associated with cell phone use and driving. As a possible switch into the issues surrounding cell phone use and operating a motor vehicle in the state of North Carolina, it may be that a partial ban is more politically expedient than a full ban in the state. Behind this partial ban, it remains a possible solution to the dilemma (Cell Phone Laws, 2009). Possible Solution: Full Ban Arguing that a partial ban is not the answer and that a full and sustained ban of cell phones while driving is the only way to mitigate the risks associated with this behavior, the following will argue that a solution can only be obtained with a full ban in place. While North Carolina has taken some initial positive steps with respect to cell phone use and driving in this state, the present steps do not go far enough to address an issue which has deadly ramifications. As cited earlier, driving a car while using a cell phone can kill. The likelihood that one will get into an accident if using a cell phone and/or texting increases greatly and people who operate a vehicle while using their cell phone behave as though they were drunk behind the wheel. This state of North Carolina would not allow drunk drivers on the road so it makes no sense to allow people to use cell phones while operating a motor vehicle. The implications are the same and the state must respond in the same manner. A full ban is the only way in which the dangerous act of driving while using a cell phone can be mitigated. The time is come for North Carolina to follow the lead of 19 other states in this country as well as two Canadian provinces and make this state a cell phone-free state for drivers. Cell Phone Use While Driving   PRO PRO CON CON Partial Ban Better than nothing Politically expedient Not comprehensive enough Too little, too late Full Ban May save lives Follow the lead of other states Enforcement may cost $$$ Difficult to sell to public Recommendations North Carolina must follow the lead of other states and implement a comprehensive cell phone driving ban in this state. Anything less than a comprehensive ban will endanger people of this state and ultimately lead to a greater incidence of road-related deaths in the state. Cell phone use while driving a car is very hazardous, risky behavior which many states are legislating against. The state of North Carolina must outlaw this risky behavior and tackle it legislatively. More effort is needed however to educate the public in North Carolina about the risks associated with this behavior but an outright ban will ultimately save lives in the state. references 2009 New Distracted Driving Laws. Driving Laws. Retrieved November 11, 2009 from http://www.drivinglaws.org/2008.php Cell Phone Laws. (2009). Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Retrieved November 11, 2009 http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx Coalition for Cellphone-Free Driving. (2009). Retrieved November 11, 2009 http://www.cellphonefreedriving.ca Hitti, M. (2009). Study: Chatting on Cell Phones While Driving May Be as Bad as Driving Drunk. WebMD Health News. Retrieved November 11, 2009 from http://www.webmd.com/news/20060629/driving-cell-phones-big-road-risk Lee, T.D. Motor Control and Learning. (2006). New York: Human Kinetics. Read More