Automobile Accidents Caused by Cell Phones

961 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Dangers of using a cell phone while driving

Every year, 25% of all automobile accidents are caused by operating a cell phone while driving (Ricks, Newsday). It is six times more dangerous than driving while intoxicated (Ricks, Newsday). People do not realize that the decision to text and drive affects not only the driver, but also endangers everyone around them. When a person decides to pick up their cell phone, they are no longer able to pay full attention to anything going on around them which gives them a slower reaction time. No text message is not worth the risks involved. Driving is a privilege and a responsibility, texting can wait. It is incredibly dangerous to operate a cell phone while driving because it creates a higher risk of death not only for the driver, but also for everyone around them. Texting and driving affects everyone whether they realize it or not. When the driver chooses to pick up their phone, they are taking their eyes off the road. They cannot see any hazardous situations going on around them. Using a mobile phone while driving decreases a person’s reaction time by five seconds (Ricks, 8 May 2013). It may not seem like a whole lot of time but when it comes to driving, every second counts. If a pedestrian was to walk out into the road, or the vehicle in front of them was to suddenly stop, the driver may not be able to react quickly enough to stop their vehicle. Texting and driving risks more lives than just that of the driver’s. Tassone 2 Every year there are approximately 1,600,000 automobile accidents involving the use of a cellular device. Of those accidents, only about 330,000 incidents result in injury. The issue of texting and driving appears to be a more pressing problem in the age range of sixteen... ... middle of paper ... ... of the most dangerous decisions a person can make. It is a choice that can affect anyone and can destroy a person’s life in a split second. Whether it be an innocent person who was at the wrong place at the wrong time, a car that was minding its own business, or the driver that gets harmed, its repercussions can have a huge impact on the lives involved. The risks are something that definitely outweigh the benefits of using a cell phone and driving. Too many people are either killed or injured from it every year and even every day. Actions have been made to prevent this decision by the enforcement of laws and punishments for breaking these laws. However, people can only influence someone so much. The choice ultimately comes down to the driver and his or her decision. Yet, the use of a cell phone is one of the most dangerous things a driver can do.

Show More
Related

  • Analysis Of Connectivity And Its Discontents By Sherry Turkle

    1291 Words  | 3 Pages

    Texting and Driving has been a huge factor in accidents. More and more cities are starting to make cell phone use illegal to prevent many life threatening accidents. A phone call and text message can wait. You never know as drivers what the people are doing around you are doing unless you are watching your surroundings. The driver might be a really good driver and might be paying some attention to the road while you are on your phone but the road needs all of the drivers attention so that prevention of accidents is at its

    Read More

  • The Message That Kills: Texting While Driving

    614 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Fatality states that texting while driving causes nearly eleven teen deaths every day and 330,000 injuries per year. Almost 25 percent of all car accidents involve someone who was texting as they were driving; that is 1.3 million crashes. Texting while driving is the number one distraction for majority of drivers. Five seconds is the minimal amount of time a driver’s attention is taken from the road while using a cell phone. With that being said, if one is traveling at 55mph, five seconds is equal to driving the length of a football field without paying attention to the road.

    Read More

  • Cellular Abuse Behind the Wheel: the Dangers of Distracted Behavior

    1940 Words  | 4 Pages

    Another negative effect that mobile phones impair is mental focus while driving. People who are driving have their minds on the task in front of them with their full attention on the road. So when a person is conversing on a phone their attention is split as he or she is trying to multi-task both talking and driving at the same time. An article written by Nathan Seppa, the cause of “split attention”, he noted that David Strayer a psychology professor and his team studied to understand what impairs drivers when they talk on the phone. They conducted an experiment with drivers to see the effects of how varies distractions compare to each other. Strayer’s team accompanied drivers and assign them different distractive tasks while they maintain their eyes on the road in order to assess the effects. In the team’s findings they found that one most distracting tasks was talking on a mobile phone, which caused a driver’s performance to decline significantly. The typical tasks that drivers should perform on a regular basis, such as observing traffic changes, looking in rear-view mirrors, and watching for pedestrians was reduced overall (Seppa). Not many people can multi-task a conversation and driving at the same time without some drawbacks. Another drawback to a person focus was “unintentional blindness”, described by Simons, as “looking at something and not seeing it” (Seppa). So a person who is talking on a phone can end up not seeing an object whether it is a car, a stop sign or a pedestrian that is right in front of him and her. Many experiments were conducted by professionals to understand how “unintentional blindness” can affect a person’s perception, but one notable professional, Simmons, conducted a test of this concept:

    Read More

  • Pros And Cons Of Cell Phones While Driving

    1175 Words  | 3 Pages

    Even if just one person puts their phone down and concentrates on the road and not where the party is or who they got a snapchat from that is one less possible accident.

    Read More

  • Defensive Driving

    529 Words  | 2 Pages

    Ever since the invention of the automobile, numerous efforts have been employed to try and improve its safety features. Judging by the current statistics, one could argue that driving has so far turned out to be a risky business. In actual fact, people of all ages and social status are considered to be in control of lethal weapons whenever they have to drive. According to the National Safety Council, it is estimated that more than 41,000 people lose their lives in road accidents annually and no less than 2 million more suffer from serious life threatening injuries (2009). Furthermore, it is estimated that at least 50% of the people killed in road accidents is as a result of their failure to adhere to safety measures such as wearing seatbelts while driving, driving under the influence, or careless driving (Ingalls, “Defensive Driving Strategies”). As an effect, huge losses occur with respect to life, injuries sustained, and damage to property.

    Read More

  • And Driving: The Dangerous Psychology Of Texting While Driving

    1318 Words  | 3 Pages

    No matter how good of a driver someone is, or how long someone has had their license, it is still not safe for people to text while drive. Earl K. Miller, Picower Professor of Neuroscience at MIT, told Foxnews.com, “It is difficult for pretty much everyone to do several things at once. In fact, studies have shown that people who have the most confidence that they can multitask are actually the worst at it,” (“The dangerous psychology of texting while driving” Para. 7). With Miller saying this, it shows that even if people think they are a good enough driver, and can multi task while they are driving, are not as good as they think, and can cause many crashes and problems while driving, and possible

    Read More

  • Texting And Driving Essay

    1169 Words  | 3 Pages

    Texting and driving are not alone done by teens but as well as adults. A survey by AT&T provided by USA TODAY has showed that almost half of all adults admit to texting while driving in comparison to the 43% of teenagers who text and drive. "Texting while driving is not just a teen problem," says John Ulczycki of the National Safety Council. This quote shows that not alone are teens committing this act but also teens. Showing that it should not be banned only for teens but also adults since this “epidemic” has no age.

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Texting And Driving

    1092 Words  | 3 Pages

    Like many things if you tell someone to not do something then they’ll turn around and do it. “Over the past several years, even while new texting laws are taking effect globally, texting and driving rates have only increased.”(Abolish Driving While Texting Laws for Safety; drive-safely.net) People seem to think that the world will end if they don’t check their phones every five minutes, and if you must check your phone do it at a stop light. Another very efficient way to still answer people back while driving is giving your phone to the passenger or using Bluetooth instead of taking a hand off of the steering wheel or tilting your head to your shoulder. If need be at the next stop light send a quick text to whoever it is telling them that you are driving and will get back to them later. “There aren’t enough police on patrol to catch everyone who’s breaking the law. Taking personal responsibility for our own actions is the key to all of this” says US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. (TWD;

    Read More

  • Essay On Texting While Driving

    1171 Words  | 3 Pages

    Most of the drivers are likely to mix up driving and messaging from their cell phones while driving regardless of the laws standing on the issues, and danger posed to them. A majority of those drivers engaging in this act do not contemplate the possible detrimental effects from their actions. Research has indicated that texting while driving contributes to road accidents significantly. This situation is sufficiently bad to the extent that there are more accidents caused by messaging while driving than those caused by drunken driving (Fumento n.p.). From the foregoing statements, this essay seeks to support the laws, which outlaws texting while driving by highlighting how dangerous it is for drivers to massage while driving.

    Read More

  • Texting While Driving

    719 Words  | 2 Pages

    Texting and driving has become the new D.U.I meaning (driving under the influence) in society today is similar to driving under the influence. Both teenagers and adults have taken upon themselves to text while driving to possibly cause accidents and death. Prevention is a must texting and driving can cause death to society. Choosing to turn off your phone can prevent such tragedy. A study stated by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski stated that ‘’currently there is no national ban on texting or using a wireless phone while driving, but a number of states have passed laws banning texting or wireless phones or requiring hands-free use of wireless phones while driving.’’ Meaning it may be allowed but it is being used as a law to prevent possible accidents.

    Read More

  • A Minute Saved: Practice Safe Driving

    744 Words  | 2 Pages

    Today’s society appears to be constantly on the go. People seem to be pulled in multiple directions at once. Individuals never appear to have enough time to complete tasks that continually accumulate. It can be difficult to criticize someone that tries to make the most out every minute. Unfortunately, some of today’s drivers show a lack of judgment and trying to perform other tasks, while behind the wheel. People may feel this is best use time while getting to a destination. Occasionally, the small amount of time that people are trying to gain results in a time consuming accident. With modern conveniences that are geared toward an on the go public, individuals appear to be too preoccupied to driving safely.

    Read More

  • Cell phone usage while operating a motor vehicle should be outlawed Nationwide

    588 Words  | 2 Pages

    I once had someone come into my lane, as if I wasn’t there and almost ran me off the road. When I looked into the car to see their faces, I saw a cellphone up to their ear. People tend to forget that they shouldn’t drive and talk on their cellphones. They think what’s happening on the other end of the phone is more important than focusing on the road. The current teenage generation is known for their use of cellphones while driving.

    Read More

  • Texting While Driving Persuasive Essay

    1117 Words  | 3 Pages

    Texting while driving is referred to as distracted driving. "Distracted driving continues to be the number one leading cause of car accidents in America. Talking on the phone, texting, eating, reading, grooming, and talking are just some of the ways drivers get distracted behind the wheel. Drivers who use a hand-held device are 4 times more likely to get into a car accident than drivers that pay attention to the road ahead. Individuals who text message while driving are 23 times more likely to get into an accident. Do not risk your safety or your life. Put everything down and pay attention to the road ahead. It is the single most important thing you can do today to reduce your risk of getting into a

    Read More

  • Texting While Driving Should Be Made Illegal

    879 Words  | 2 Pages

    An Adesman stated that, “A person who is texting can be as impaired as a driver who is legally drunk.” A car traveling at 55mph covers the length of a football field in five seconds. The average person who sends out text messages while driving spends on average about eight seconds of looking down at their phone. Approximately 10% of driving time is spent outside of their original lane, by drifting while texting. “There's a difference between driving and texting. When you’re driving your eyes have to be open and on the road watching the cars around you, road signs, and traffic lights. Along with your mind on the road and destination. Which means you are multitasking. When your texting your eyes are on your cell phone screen and key pad. Along with your mind on what you’re going to say next. So how can you do both?” This quote was written by Johnathan Anthony Burkett who wrote the story Neglected but Undefeated. The chances of getting into a car crash are increased four times more than those who are not distracted. Texting while driving involves manual, visual, and the mental ability of a driver which makes messaging while driving one of the worst distractions.

    Read More

  • Dangers of Cell Phone Use While Driving

    1304 Words  | 3 Pages

    Over the last few decades, the use of cell phones has become a very common tool. Furthermore, Technology has certainly advanced, and the cell phone is becoming the most preferred mode of communication. The demand for a cell phone is growing every day. In addition, the use of wireless technology is affordable, and anyone can buy a cell phone at a reasonable price. They come in all shapes and sizes. They range from black to bright metallic white. American public use of cell phones is increasing everyday. As the number of people using cell phones increase, the use of cell phones while driving will also increase on our streets and highways. At the same rate, motorists still converse on cell phones and write text messages while driving. Motorist will also engage in other activities apart from driving. For example, drivers will text when driving, and they will dial numbers. Drivers will receive calls and converse with the recipient for long periods. Again, driving demands your full attention, and your concentration needed when talking on the phone. However, it means that the driver has to divert his attention to the conversation, which leads to less concentration on the road. On the contrary, one can therefore connect motorist’s accidents and cell phone usage while driving.

    Read More

More about Automobile Accidents Caused by Cell Phones

Open Document