Use of Mobile Phone and While Driving - Term Paper Example

Use of Mobile Phone and While Driving Name Course Name and Code Instruction’s Name Date Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 The Problem of Driving while on Phone 4 Solution to Using Phone while Driving 6 Statistics on Accidents/Crashes 7 Conclusion 9 References 10 Introduction A mobile phone also called hand phone, cell phone or cellular phone is a device that can be used to receive and make telephone calls over radio frequency while the persons making the calls or receiving the calls are moving around different or same geographical area (Davies, 2010). To achieve effective communication, a mobile phone operator provides a cellular network resulting in public telephone network (Sturnquist, 2006). Conversely, a cordless telephone operates in short range and usually situated at private base station (Dorn, 2010). In addition, advancement in technology has resulted in mobile phones supporting numerous services that include Internet access, text messaging, short-range wireless communications, and photography, gaming and business applications. The mobile phones that offer these numerous services are commonly referred to as smart phones. Nevertheless, the first hand held mobile phone was demonstrated by Dr. Cooper and Mitchell with Motorola in 1973 using a device that weighed one kilogram. However, it was until 1983 when the first commercially available mobile phone was developed; the mobile phone was DynaTAC 8000x. Over time, companies continued developing phone based on different consumer requirements and innovations resulting in billions of mobile phones produced until date (Sturnquist, 2006). Even though mobile phones have become common with numerous functional varieties, the technology has enabled people to move around while using it and while operating motor vehicles (Cunningham, 2008). Evidence indicates numerous drivers operate motor vehicles while using their phones (Davies, 2010). However, concerns have been raised on use of mobile phones while driving that has resulted in numerous accidents and risks associated to or with fatalities, injuries, property damage and even traffic collisions (Sturnquist, 2006). Due to the rise of accidents associated with driving while using mobile phones, numerous organisations including telecommunication industry have come together to educate and encourage drivers and other persons to be careful while driving and also threats associated with driving and use of mobile phones (Davies, 2010). Therefore, the aim of this report is to analyse the problem associated to driving while using mobile phones, solutions to these problems and statistics on accidents associated to accidents in some regions across the world (Dorn, 2010). The Problem of Driving while on Phone Driving has numerous challenges and prone to numerous threats and consequences of improper handling of motor vehicles can be disastrous to the environment, society and economy (Sturnquist, 2006). Some consequences associated to collisions because of careless driving includes fatal injuries, property damage, health costs, lost work time, insurance administration, litigation expenses and other adverse ramifications (Davies, 2010). In addition, if the accidents take place during rush hour can result in emergency response time, traffic congestion and grief to the affected persons (Dorn, 2010). Due to these numerous problems, policymakers and motorists should be concerned. One of the associations of driving and using mobile phone affects driver performance (Harper & Buress, 2008). In driving vehicle, the use of mobile phone may employ different manoeuvres (Sturnquist, 2006). Some of these manoeuvrers include holding the phone near the ear, dialling, reaching for the phone to receive or initiate a call, searching for the phone and even picking up a mobile phone that had been dropped. In doing these different activities, the driver requires different amount of coordination, mental energy, amount of time resulting in numerous complications that may result in collision (Dorn, 2010). In addition, talking and dialling on a mobile phone is riskier to decision making. In driving a motor vehicle, numerous decisions are supposed to be made since it is a complex task (Cunningham, 2008). In use of mobile phone, the driver may loose concentration and judgement resulting in traffic related offences (Davies, 2010). In addition, the driver may not see and read the road signs contributing to poor decisions while driving on the road (Sturnquist, 2006). Therefore, decision-making is an important affected immensely through the use of a mobile phone while driving. When a driver uses a mobile phone reduces the chances of occurrences because of slower reactions. The slower reactions may result in missing of important traffic signals or even response towards controlling braking system (Davies, 2010). Braking is an important component especially when it comes to traffic jams and if the driver does not command the brakes on appropriate time may result in adverse complications. Moreover, the driver may reduce the reaction time to change lanes or even wandering into different lanes (Sturnquist, 2006). These possess numerous threats to other motorists, passengers and other people on the road. In addition, drivers using mobile phones are affected both cognitively and visually. Instead of drivers focusing their thoughts and attention on driving, the drivers redirects their focus and attention on the information of the mobile phone communication (Davies, 2010). Therefore, the concentration and focus of the driver is divided between driving and listening to the conversation (Sturnquist, 2006). Moreover, the drivers are visually distracted in two ways, which are diversion of their eyes from the road and refocusing it on the mobile phone while at the same time the driver may concentrate on the road but may miss important traffic components because the driver may “look” but cannot “see” (Dorn, 2010). Solution to Using Phone while Driving Mobile phone has become an important constituent in every day’s life of an individual. This means it is not realistic for individuals to completely stop utilising a mobile phone during driving (Harper & Buress, 2008). The most appropriate strategy to prevent the common problems associated to driving while communication in mobile phone is the use of legislation. It is paramount to legalise policies and directives that illegalise driving and use of mobile phones (Davies, 2010). One of the strategies in completing banning hand held devices. This can be achieved through banning both text messaging and conversation on mobile phones (Sturnquist, 2006). In addition, it is appropriate to ban completely even hands free devices such as conversing on a phone without touching the phone e.g. through loudspeaker (Dorn, 2010). These strategies are important because through numerous surveys and public opinions, it is evident that many people are against drivers who communicate through the mobile phones while driving (Cunningham, 2008). Another important strategy that can be employed is to educate the public. Public education on importance of highway safety has reported numerous successes such as campaigns on promoting seat belts, combat drunk driving and driving within legislated speed limits (Davies, 2010). Therefore, it is prudent to campaign and inform the public on the threats and benefits of not using mobile phones while driving. Different institutions and stakeholders have played an important role in educating the public towards understanding the benefits of driving without using a mobile phone. For example, some car manufacturers and mobile phone providers have launched campaigns to sensitise the public on the importance of driving without use of mobile phones (Sturnquist, 2006). This is the most appropriate strategy since the consequences of breaking the legislations and laws could be communicated to the public and thus acts as a deterrent against breaking the legislation requirements (Dorn, 2010). Another important solution is development of new technology to work against the current mobile phone technology. Since technology on mobile phone is developing at a faster rate and therefore, similar approach could be used to counter driver distraction problems (Davies, 2010). For example, car manufacturers should device new phone applications and technology devices through GPS to prevent mobile phones from not been used while a person drives (Sturnquist, 2006). This means that a button should be placed into a car or on the mobile phone, which prevents incoming calls or texts. Utilising this strategy would prevent the drivers from been distracted by their mobile devices while driving (Dorn, 2010). Statistics on Accidents/Crashes According to National Safety Council (2010), estimated that 1.6 million crashes reported in 2010/11 which accounts to 28% are attributed to using mobile phones. Out of these, 23% or 1.4 million are attributed to drivers using their mobile phones while two hundred thousand additional are attributed to driver’s texting while driving. This illustrates the preferences in which drivers are distracted due to challenges associated to using mobile phones while driving. According to Work Safe BC (2009), it analyses the 2003 results that were conducted by ICBC whereby the claims data of mobile phones involvement in crashes were analysed. From the 523 incidents (accounts for 0.5% claimants for 2003) in which 127 involved injuries while the rest was because of property damage claims were attributed to distractions from mobile phones. In addition, according to Traffic Collision Statistics for 2004, 1 fatality and 46 injuries were attributed to distractions from use of mobile phones. The following table summaries Traffic Collision Statistics from 2004-2006 (Work Safe BC, 2009): Year Total casualties because of mobile phone communication Injuries Fatality 2004 47 46 1 2005 55 54 1 2006 55 53 2 In the same analysis, Saskatchewan Government Insurance in 2003 published information whereby police reported collisions totalling 16,183 attributed to driver distraction or inattention. From this data, 1% or 27 were attributed to incidents of mobile phone use. According to Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety (2013), accidents associated with distraction accounted for 22% of car crashes and 71% of crushes. In addition, the use of mobile phone while driving increases the chances of crash. Even though illegality and dangers associated to driving and use of mobile phone has been communicated to the drivers, 25% of Queensland respondents reported using mobile phones while driving on daily basis. Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety (2013) reports naturalistic driving studies shows that 22% of accidents are caused by distractions while 7% of these crashes are attributed to use of mobile phones. In addition, the report states that most of the distraction incidents are avoidable. Generally, the issue of distraction while driving is common but the most contributing factor is use of mobile phones. Whether on conversation or texting, the chances of crashes increases four fold when using mobile phone devices. Moreover, using any hand held equipment that has audio or visual also contributes immensely to distraction crashes associated accidents. Conclusion Mobile phones have a long history since its introduction in 1970s but the first device was commercially produced in mid 1980s. The device has become an integral component to the society and economy because of the numerous features and accessories that are associated with it. However, mobile phone has become an important component in cars today, with many drivers using mobile phones while driving. The increase of such behaviours has increased negative effects to the environment, society and economic position. Most of these negative effects are attributed to distractions. Some common causes that affect driver performance are caused by visual, cognitive, physical and cognitive distractions because of use of mobile phone. Statistics indicates most accidents are caused by distractions and out of these some percentages accounts to distraction from use of mobile phones. The increase in number of negative effects because of use of mobiles in some regions such as in Australia accounts to four folds. This illustrates that mobile phones play an important role in causing distractions. Even though there are numerous problems associated to driving while using a mobile phone, three strategies can be utilised in reducing the distraction problems. One of the strategies is passing legislations to prevent use of mobile phones while driving. This legislation will have information and penalties of breaking such legislations. The second strategy is public education whereby campaigns are used to inform the public on threats associated to driving while communicating on the mobile phone. The third strategy is the use of technology to counter the technology such as the use of GPS. Such approaches are important in reducing the prevalence of driving while on the phone. References Centre for Accident Research & Road Safety. (2013). Mobile phone use & distraction while driving. Available at http://www.police.qld.gov.au/Resources/Internet/news%20and%20alerts/campaigns/fatalfive/documents/mobile_phones_and_distraction_fs.pdf Cunningham, S. (2008). Driving Offences: Law, Policy and Practice. London: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. Davies, A. (2010). Workplace Law Handbook 2011 - Health and Safety, Premises and Environment Handbook. London: Workplace Law Group Dorn, L. (2010). Driver Behaviour and Training, Volume 4. New York: Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. Harper, A., & Buress, R. (2008). Mobile Telephones: Networks, Applications, and Performance. New York: Nova Publishers National Safety Council. (2010). National Safety Council Estimates that At Least 1.6 Million Crashes Each Year Involve Drivers Using Cell Phones and Texting. Available at http://www.nsc.org/Pages/NSCestimates16millioncrashescausedbydriversusingcellphonesandtexting.aspx Sturnquist, D. (2006). Mobile Phones and Driving. London: Nova Publishers Work Safe BC. 2009. Cell phone usage and motor vehicle accidents. Available at http://www.worksafebc.com/regulation_and_policy/policy_practice_consultative_committee/assets/pdfs/cellphonemotorvehicleaccidents.pdf Read More