Texting and driving has become a real problem here lately, and something needs to be done before it gets worse. Some people in our society think that stricter laws should be implemented, but others think that the general public should be better educated. Although stricter laws may be effective latter on, but stricter laws would not be easy to enforce.
Should stricter laws pertain texting and driving be created. Stricter laws should be put in place, with heavier fine, so people won’t want to deal with the consequences. In Targeted News Service’s article “Laws, Education Not Enough to Curb Distracted Driving”, they use the opinions of two doctors, Jeffrey H. Coben and Motao Zhu, to tell that these laws should be implemented or improved. In the article they say, “Coben and Zhu strongly believe the federal government should take greater action, including setting new safety standards requiring the development and implementation of this technology” (Targeted News Service 2). If these laws were strengthened, then the general public would obey the law therefore make them be safer, and stop texting and driving because they would not want to face the consequences. Although stricter laws might work, they would probably not be effective until a person has interaction with the law or already faces the consequences. “For now, though, efforts to outlaw dialing-while-driving will be about as effective as the alcohol-banning 18th Amendment, ratified in 1919 and repealed in 1933” (USA Today A10). In the quotation it gives an example from the past, Prohibition, to show that this law will not be effectives.
Education is a superior deterrent to stricter laws because it has triumphed over the stricter laws in past debates for example, drunk driving a...
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As much as the government tries to think of a way to solve this problem, it will never go completely away. However the best way to better the problems is to better educate the drivers and future drivers of society of the dangers of distracted driving and to lead by example.
Works Cited
“Yes, Cellphones Can Be Dangerous. No, a Nationwide Ban Won’t Work.” USA TODAY. 16 Dec 2011: A.10. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 07 Nov 2013.
Genachowski, Julius. “Time to Put the Brakes on Texting and Driving.” Gannett News Service. 23 Sep 2012: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 11 Nov 2013.
"Laws, Education Not Enough to Curb Distracted Driving." Targeted News Service. 06 Mar 2013: n.p. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 15 Nov 2013.
MacDonald, Gregg. "Simulator Shows Dangers of Texting While Driving." Washington Post. 28 Mar 2013: T.23. SIRS Issues Researcher. Web. 15 Nov 2013.
This article shows both sides of the “Texting While Driving “debate. The article talks about how banning texting while driving could be a good thing. It states that countless of fatal car crashes have been caused by texting motorists. It also gives information on why banning texting while driving could be a bad thing mainly because it is a law that is hard to enforce. This article does a very good job of portraying both views. It is chock full of facts, quotes and studies that support each argument.
In order to operate a motor vehicle, you must be 16, by this age the driver should be responsible enough to make right decisions. Yet drivers make poor decisions, they do not take into consideration the bans and law prohibiting them to text behind the wheel. In 2009, Car and Driver preformed an experiment showing that texting while driving is more dangerous than being intoxicated behind the wheel. Texting bans have been proven to be lasting only a short time. People will react to a ban, but soon after will fall right back to their habits behind the wheel.
Jackson, Nancy Mann. ʺCell Phones and Texting Endanger Teen Drivers.ʺ Teen Driving. Ed. Michele Siuda Jacques. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2013. At Issue. Rpt. from ʺDn't txt n drv: Why You Should Disconnect While Driving.ʺ Current Health Teens (Mar. 2011). Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 14 Nov. 2013.
The cell phone provider known as AT&T has produced several commercials to show the dangers of texting and driving. These are designed to grab people’s attention and to touch them in a small place in there heart to the point that they no longer feel the need to pick up their phone in the car. They stress over and over the dangers of reading just one text. There have even been safety precautions placed in teens vehicles that record them as well as the road while they are driving to catch any of this distracted behavior. As Americans have seen an increase in the amount of texting and driving there have been several of the 50 states that have put laws in place to help try and put a reduction on the amount of fatalities. The devastating part about this kind of distraction is that nearly every person that has owned a cell phone has picked it up at some point while they are driving to make a phone call or send a quick text. They have seen the commercials and they know the hurt that it has caused many families loosing someone they love, but we still to do it anyways. It’s so easy to tell yourself “It’s just one quick text, I will be fine.” At some point we need to realize this is not
Texting while driving is national growing trend, and it is quickly becoming one of the country’s top killers. Most drivers think they can manage to text and drive and still stay safe on the roads; however, the numbers do not lie! According to the National Safety Council, 1,600,000 accidents per year are caused by someone who was texting and driving. Laws and penalties for this act are too lax, and tougher laws should be enforced.
There are approximately 5,400 deaths per year that are linked to distracted driving, and thousands more were injured. (U.S. Department of Labor). Those fatalities are our neighbors, close friends, and even family. How can we prevent this from being so prominent? How can we make the roads a safe place to be again? These questions have many different answers, but many prove to be un-effective. I believe that the best and only way to resolve this issue is to implement tougher laws on cell-phone use in vehicles, and educate our youth to the best of our abilities on the dangers of distracted driving.
One day Chandler Gerber 23, of Bluffton collided with an Amish buggy back in April of 2012. A three year old boy and a five year old girl were killed. A 17 year old boy who was in critical condition died several days later. Chandler was sending a text that said “ I love you” to his wife when he caused the accident. Drivers who were texting were 23.2 times more likely to crash to those who weren’t texting (Cell Phones and Texting). The increasing amount of crashes caused from texting and driving and growing and becoming more of a problem. Distracted driving is an increasing problem in the United States resulting in many accidents, but a solution to the problem would be banning cellphones while driving.
Texting and driving is a deadly issue in today 's generation. Using our cellphones while driving is a damaging habit among teens and adults. This habit caused many catastrophic accidents and deaths. Texting while driving has made the roads unsafe for other drivers. Many states recognize the immense threat resulting from texting and driving and have placed a ban on this epidemic. While many people realize texting and driving is hazardous others believe that the ban is useless and not strong enough of a solution.
Texting while driving is still a growing problem in the United States. If the government takes control and stiffens the laws we have, there could be a decline in accidents. The laws should be the same for every state and not just for the young drivers. Texting while driving affects everyone 's ability to drive safely. Mariah West was rushed the hospital and died eight days later. Her mom, Merry Dye, now works with AT&T and their "It Can Wait" campaign. She
The problem I am addressing today is that the privilege to operate a motor vehicle is being recklessly abused by the people of our society. America today as we all should know has an unhealthy obsession with the use of technology, more so their cell phones. People drive distracted every day and it is nothing to just brush aside. . There are many facts and statistics on how this is a critical subject of matter. Whether you think it is a big deal or not, you should consider the consequences. The common age group being found related to distracted driving crashes are said to be around 24 years and younger. More so because of so many newly and unexperienced teenage drivers. According to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study
Car crashes due to texting while driving is a widespread epidemic that has taken our nation by storm for more than a decade ago. People may think they can safely write text messages on their phone while driving, or just do not think there is any real risk in the act does not matter. Texting while driving must be done away with at all costs. To achieve this fit, our government must take action by adding uniformity to the laws and impose punishments on the offenders. Similarly, it is also important that the government provides sufficient educational programs. This will help spread the message about the dangers of tapping the phone’s keyboard while behind the wheel.
This of course, will never be the case. Certain laws have been passed to help reduce the amount of accidents such as the hands-free law prohibiting people under 18 years of age, from being able to talk on the phone using a hands-free device. The main goal of the government regarding distracted driving is to make sure that all citizens are safe. Even through distraction is inevitable while driving, we should all do our part to maintain our focus to keep the roads as safe as possible. Everything could go from perfect to complete horror in a split second. Practice safe driving habits at all times, especially in front of others in order to set a good example. Together we can do our part to stop distraction on the roads and minimize the amount of crashes due to
Now that you know how texting and driving is affecting our nation, let’s talk about different ways to prevent it from causing deaths.
Thesis statement: Risks of texting while driving over the past few years has become a key topic for many Americans through the country. It has been the cause of numerous deaths and injuries and remains a vast disturbance for drivers. Hence driving is one of the greatest common causes of misfortunes on roads. This can result in, physical visual and cognitive distraction and significantly increases the amount of time a driver devotes not looking at the road. Therefore police officers should seize the phones of those who text and drive.
One of the major cell phone companies AT&T, has had enormous success in launching its “It Can Wait” campaign.AT&T is using its campaign to show ttenagers the damaging effects of texting and driving and what it can do to everyone around. Texting and driving should be tied into the school systems learning guidelines as most teenagers think that texting and driving is not as big of a deal as it seems to be. In a study done by() results showed that thirteen percent of drivers age eighteen to twenty involved in car accidents admitted to being on their phones at the time of the crash. And seventy seven percent of teenagers say they are somewhat confident in that they can text and drive safely. This should be a a major eye opener to all members of society. The new generation has very little real world experience in how texting and driving can really affect them and their