Reasons to Stop Texting while Driving - Essay Example

due: Stop texting while driving Driving distractions have become prevalent with an increasing amount of technology being installed into automobiles. Radios, global positioning systems, multimedia devices can all be found in cars. The most detrimental distraction, today, is a cellular phone. Tragic stories have been documented concerning accidents that occurred due to use of the cellular phones. The most recent one was the crash that killed five teenagers in the New York state. The driver’s cell phone records indicated text messages made just before the crash. The tragedy spawned discussions that favored restrictions of using cellular phones while driving (Nelson et al. 438). While many people may be against texting while driving, others think that the prohibition of this is infringing on their personal rights. Numerous accidents have been caused by distracted driving and legislatures want to introduce a law that prohibits cell phone usage while driving. The proponents against the law equate texting to having a talk with another passenger in the vehicle and hold that no harm is done while doing this. However, the opposite is true. For instance, imagine this scenario, three people are travelling in a car, traffic is light. They are talking about a friend and shortly the driver picks up his phone and sends a text, suddenly the car swerves into oncoming traffic, blood spatters and next thing the driver’s two friends are pronounced dead, imagine the agony of this driver (Ship 2145). Research in the past has been done to explain and determine the extent to which texting has been attributed to loss of lives. A study was done to determine mobile messaging habits show that about a quarter of all respondents admitted to texting while driving. This survey included respondents between the age of 16-19 and 20-29 (Neustein 35).Another study showed that texting while driving increases the risk of collision 23 times than that of driving while undistracted. It is believed that while drivers multitask, the pay less attention to the road. Using phone while driving reduces brain activity focused on driving by 37%.This can be equated as driving while intoxicated. Data the national highway traffic safety administration show that text messaging while driving is six times more likely to lead to accidents than drunk driving. Mobile devices cause close to 2600 deaths and 330, injuries per year according to Human factors and Ergonomics society. Teenage drivers are faulted to be culprits of texting while driving. At least, 34 states in the District of Columbia comprehend the dangers of texting while driving. They have passed bans against texting while driving (Kemper 308). Communication is on high demand as it is highly attractive for audiences and text messaging allows immediate communication. The overall benefit of this method is that it is convenient, inexpensive and confidential. Using a phone is important as one can multitask which was not possible before. One can be writing an email, reading and social networking simultaneously. Language also is no longer a barrier when using these devices as the internet has made it possible for data to be available in several languages (Khine et al 8). People with such technology can comfortably use their devices anywhere and whenever they want. Mobile computing technologies are essential components of mobile commerce systems. The uses of these devices present favorable conditions that do not subsist with wired computers and phones. The mobile devices have allowed people to stay connected and expand the scope of their activities beyond what was achievable before the era of computers. Texting saves time for communication, as opposed to calling perhaps during a traffic snarl up. In modern day, people are busy and cannot be stuck at one place at one time. Therefore, the simplest way to keep in touch with others particularly friends is by using mobile phones especially through texts. It is argued that phone conversations consume time and attention and, therefore, a simple text allows short thoughts to be passed on to friends and relatives. Phone users also prefer texting because it is less intimidating to pass a message especially when dealing with intimidating people. It is also believed that people are happier when receiving texts. The elevation of mood is transferred to a person’s surrounding which increases their productivity in their daily routine. Although there is significant safety and cost risks arising from using mobile phones while driving, drivers still insist that the benefits of using phones outweigh any costs. Previous research reveals that there is a psychological and practical benefit for mobile users. They argue that the most significant benefit of mobile phone is contractibility and accessibility irrespective of location. Phone technology installation has increased the likelihood of using mobile phones while driving especially for work related purposes. This being the case, a study in Australia focused on assessing risks and benefits of using mobile phones while driving identified that fatalities were minimal and using a phone while driving increased the probability of non-fatal accidents. The benefits reported included peace of mind, improved social networking, and use of otherwise unprofitable time. However, it is not clear yet that these findings can be generalized to other settings. The hypothesis of planned behavior has been used to explain the use of phones by drivers. This theory suggests that attitude formation results from careful consideration of the information available to an individual. The theory posits that the attitudes are influenced by beliefs about the pros and cons of performing a specified behavior. The model has improved the understanding of numerous behaviors and it is believed that it can predict intentions to use a mobile phone while driving in general and also for driver groups (Walsh et al. 5). People make excuses for texting while driving which include, being busy or even boredom. Statistics taken by CBS and the New York Times show that 97% of the respondents believe that texting whilst driving should be against the law. Several states have passed this law as the number of accidents increases daily (Janda et al. 567). Automakers are incorporating electronic devices into standard vehicle that includes dashboard internet and satellite connections. Due to this, drivers assume that they can safely use the devices while operating a motor vehicle (Jacobson et al. 1419). Trends of road fatalities have been determined and prove that distracted driving fatalities increased in numbers over the last few years. The aspects of distracted drivers also changed recently and showed that male drivers were prone to the driving violations. Urban areas were mostly affected in the distraction fatalities. In a nut shell, the increase in distracted driving from 2005 -2008 may have been as a result of the rapid increase in text messaging volumes during this period according to the study (Wilson & Stimpson 2216). Statistics has shown that texting while driving has been rampant and it has not only taken the lives of innocent lives but prompted action in legislation. Several states having put a ban to driving while texting has not solved the situation as the same states and others report more incidents of accidents involving teenagers. The fatal accident in New York and a ban in various states are not enough to reduce the accidents and educate a people of a culture detrimental to their lives. Therefore, the government and other stakeholders in the transport ought to put stringent measures to make sure that this ban is effective. People ought to know the severity of texting and, therefore, by introducing measures such as arrests; perhaps drivers may take the ban and their lives more seriously. Apart from this, repeat offenders ought to surrender the licenses to the authorities when caught multiple times. This may again cause and ‘uprising’ but will keep people safe and alive as they go on with their daily duties. Since this ‘vice’ is common among teenagers, parents and guardians also have to play their part in raising their children to be law abiding citizens. In conclusion, it is important that people respect each other’s lives and stop texting while they are driving. They may argue that it may be applicable during a medical emergency or robbery, but it is wise to stop your vehicle if there is no imminent danger and call for help. As much as communication is vital, it should not be at the expense of precious life. Many people agree to the laws being passed as seen in the study done in New York, therefore, the authorities in various states should take this challenge and help people to save their lives and those of their neighbors. Works cited Jacobson, Peter D., and Lawrence O. Gostin. "Reducing distracted driving: regulation and education to avert traffic injuries and fatalities." JAMA 303.14 (2010): 1419-1420. Janda, Kenneth, Jeffrey M. Berry, and Jerry Goldman. The Challenge of Democracy: American Government in Global Politics. Boston, MA: Wadsworth, 2012. Print. Kemper, Dave. Fusion: Integrated Reading and Writing. Boston, MA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2013. Print. Khine, Myint S, and Issa M. Saleh. New Science of Learning: Cognition, Computers and Collaboration in Education. New York: Springer, 2010. Print. Nelson, Erik, Paul Atchley, and Todd D. Little. "The effects of perception of risk and importance of answering and initiating a cellular phone call while driving."Accident Analysis & Prevention 41.3 (2009): 438-444. Neustein, Amy. Advances in Speech Recognition: Mobile Environments, Call Centers and Clinics. New York: Springer, 2010. Print. Ship, Amy N. "The most primary of care—talking about driving and distraction.” New England journal of medicine 362.23 (2010): 2145-2147. Walsh, Shari P., et al.5 "Psychosocial factors influencing mobile phone use while driving." (2007).) Wilson, Fernando A., and Jim P. Stimpson. "Trends in fatalities from distracted driving in the United States, 1999 to 2008." American Journal of Public Health100.11 (2010). Read More