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. Distracted driving is such an increasing problem in the U.S. that there are laws against driving distracted. In New Jersey there is a handheld ban for all drivers and that is a primary law. There is a ban on all cell phone use (handheld and hands-free) for novice drivers. There is also a ban on texting for all drivers. This problem Is growing, drivers who are texting are 23.2 times more likely to get into a crash than people who aren’t (Cell Phones and Texting). Every driver takes their eyes off the road for approximately 4.6 seconds when texting. Driving is a new skill for teens, so doing multiple things simultaneously takes more effort for them than for more experienced drivers. Texting and driving can ruin families because when texting and driving there is a higher chance of getting in a crash. There are only 2 percent of people who can actually multitask successfully. Even though teens are more likely to try multitasking they are still part of the 98 percent who can’t do it safely. For example, Nebraska teen Emily Reynolds says... ... middle of paper ... ... Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. Rpt. from "One in Six Highway Deaths Tied to Distracted Driving." ABCNews.com 20 Sept. 2010. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 4 Dec. 2013. Nelson, Tim. "Cultural Change Is Needed to Stop Teens from Texting While Driving."Distracted Driving. Ed. Stefan Kiesbye. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2012. At Issue. Rpt. from "Teens, Traffic Officials Talk About Distracted Driving." Minnesota Public Radio. 2010. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 4 Dec. 2013. Svensson, Peter. "Smartphone Applications Designed to Curb Cell Phone Use Are Imperfect." Cell Phones and Driving. Ed. Stefan Kiesbye. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2011. At Issue. Rpt. from "Apps to Curb Texting While Driving Have Tough Task." Yahoo! News/Associated Press. 2010. Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Web. 4 Dec. 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
One simple text message could ruin your future, the life of your loved ones, or even a complete stranger in a matter of a moment. As the popularity of technology, social media, and cellphones increases, so does distracted driving. In 2016, many people believe texting and driving is a quick and convenient way to communicate, but don’t realize the dangers it involves, especially when done behind the wheel. The increased number of car accidents over the last several years is heavily linked to texting while driving, and it is important to spread awareness so the likelihood that this will happen will decrease. There are many different perspectives on using cell phones and other tech devices while driving, and each of the following articles provides an argument that is supported with
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.
How many of you, be honest, get distracted while driving? All of us at some point do. It’s no secret that distracted driving accidents are a serious problem. The roads are filled with drivers that are putting innocent people's lives in danger and at risk without even knowing it. Most of us think it could never happen to us, and that’s what I thought too. I personally have been in two car accidents because of someone texting while driving and someone talking on the phone, once causing major damage to my car and the driver just took off. Mostly everyone is looking at their phones these days at every stop light or while driving even though it is illegal to drive while using your phone. Texting while driving is especially dangerous because it combines
Everyday there are people who commute on streets and highways, they are trying to get to where they want to go. The biggest dilemma is ‘how’ they get to their destination not many of us pay attention, but 97% of us drive with distractions. The other percentages consists of six consequently dangerous ways, which include, texting, drinking, applying makeup, reading, eating, and arguing with others while behind the wheel. All of these are very hazardous, costly, and sadly deadly. Distracted drivers put lives in jeopardy everyday and if a ticket saves a life, then it would be worth it and hopefully make the person realize that the text can wait. Some may say that teenagers are the more prone to be distracted while behind the wheel but its not just them, everyday people are susceptible to this, moms, dads, businessmen, etc. it is irresponsible of any person not including, police officers who pull over and park their cruiser so they may use any device they have. Not every state has laws to prevent all forms of distractions behind the wheel. But there are a some laws that ban Driving while intoxicated and texting while in school zones. According to the CDC each day in the United States nine more people are killed then 1060 crashes are reported involving a distracted driver.” Several innocent drivers are put in unpredictable situations having to be surrounded by distracted drivers, we all have to drive for each other and it is especially harder when people are not paying attention to the road. The numbers of people being killed in crashes involving a distracted driver has increased and is expected to rise with the expansion of technology. Distracted driving can increase chances of a possible vehicle crash. There is no specific group that...
For drivers 15-19 years of age involved in fatal crashes, 21 percent of the distracted drivers were distracted by the use of cell phones (Henry, Mark 2007). Some people think it is better for them to make a law about banning call phones while driving. Staying focused is the main thing. Taking your eyes off the road for 5 seconds will cause you to have a lethal crash. It has been proven that texting while driving leads to disastrous accidents and even death, although teenagers still find a way to text while driving.
Samantha is on her way home from work, driving 55 mph, and her husband texts her to see if she can pick up some milk from the grocery store for supper. She grabs her phone and reads the message. She looks up at the road before she replies to him and she is head on with another car 10 feet away from her, she slams on the breaks and swerves to try to miss the car. She rolls her car three times, landing in the ditch, where the car is upside down. The gentlemen in the other car calls 911. Police, ambulance, and fire trucks show up at the scene. Samantha is pronounced dead at the scene. Her husband receives a call from the officer on the scene telling him his wife is dead. When you are behind the wheel and you get a text message, is it worth risking your life to answer that text immediately? Our society should really know the dangers of what can happen if you are texting behind the wheel; you are not only putting your life at risk, but all the other people on the road at the same time as you.
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
I declare myself independent of texting and driving. I am sending my thoughts to people who text while driving. These drivers are punishing citizens with numerous unnecessary car accidents. I see many people texting while driving when I am on the road. These risky people should understand the dangers of doing this activity. Careless drivers should be able to comprehend why I feel this way.
Texting and driving is a well-known issue, but many of our young and older adults are oblivious to the consequences of it. In fact, 77% of young adolescent adults are very if not somewhat confident that they can text safely while driving and 55% of young adults claim that it is easy to text while they drive (Texting and Driving Statistics). This means that our young population thinks that it’s okay to text and drive if you are good at it. That’s the same thing as saying “it’s okay to be blind for a little bit at a time while driving because I’m good at it”. Nobody ever knows what is going to happen while you are on the road. There could be a sudden stop, a school bus picking up kids or even another accident that needs to be avoided. All of these things can happen anywhere, anytime and avoiding the collisions shouldn’t be justified on whether you are good at texting while driving or n...
In 2011, according to the website, Texting and Driving Safety, 23% of vehicle crashes were caused by the use of a cell phone. This translates to 1.3 million crashes in one year exclusively from cell phones. How do we lower this embarrassing statistic? Stop using your phone while you’re driving! That “LOL” is going to turn into “TTYL” really quick. There is no text or change of song on Pandora that is worth taking your life or someone else’s. Now, many people text and drive, but the root of the problem starts with the teen population. This is where the habit forms. Over 3000 teens die each year due to texting and driving and more than 50% of teens admit to texting and driving according to Safety TRW. Right here in Flagstaff is where we will
Texting while driving is a widespread epidemic in the United States that has unfavorable effects on our society.“Driving while texting is the standard wording used for traffic violations” (Bernstein). It causes many people to be distracted which can lead to accidents. “Eighty-nine percent of people own a cell phone” (Gardner). That is a plethora of people that are at risk of texting while driving. Also, texting has increased by ten times in three years(Bernstein). “The risk of a crash for those who are texting is twenty-three point two times greater than those who are not” (Gardner).Driving drunk only makes a person seven times more likely to be in a crash (Bernstein). This means texting while driving is three times more dangerous than driving intoxicated. One in five drivers admits to texting while driving(Gardner). This shows that that texting while driving is a widespread epidemic. When a survey asked teenagers whether they text and drive,“seventy five percent of teens admitted to texting while driving” (7).Distracted driving causes seventy-eight percent of car crashes(Bernstein). “No distraction causes as high of a risk of an accident as texting while driving” (Gardner). Also with these statistics, it is not hard to understand why accidents in teenagers that are driving have risen. The Bluetooth capability in cars gives a driver a hands-free way to talk on the phone, but is still not completely safe (8). Also, only 1 out of 3 US cars sold in 2009 had this feature. New systems are being developed that will use Bluetooth as well a global positioning technology to allow parents to monitor cell phone use and texting while driving (10).
Nearly 333.000 people get injured in accidents each year caused by texting while driving. It takes you approximately five seconds to answer a text, traveling at 55 MPH, that’s enough time to travel the length of a football field.” ("Teens and distracted driving," 2009. Mary Madden & Amanda Lennart). The incentive for Highway Safety states that, “11 teens die every day from texting and driving. In 2013, more than 50% of teenagers admitted to texting while driving and are well known of the outcome that could happen.” (Cellphones and Driving." Insurance Information Institute. 2008). The most common question everyone wants to know the answer to is. “Why do people still text and drive?” Truth is they know what can happen. They know it could kill or seriously injure hem or another person, but the 4” by 6” screen in their hand still receives more attention than the road. People are so anxious to respond to a text message they don’t even think about the consequences of their decision to text and drive. For decades, drunk driving has been the main debate. Jacob Masters said “stricter laws have been passes across the nation leading to a decrease in drunk driving accidents. However, there is a new threat that is called texting while driving, and many say that it is actually more dangerous than drunk
Due to increasing technological innovations, many people are gradually trapping themselves in the web of cell phones. Even with primary laws in effect, drivers are tempted to text and drive on the road, and it has only brought grave consequences. According to the United States Department of Transportation, “It is estimated that drivers who text while on the road contribute to at least 100,000 collisions each year (qt. in Northwest drivers Admit). Besides causing careless accidents, intexicated drivers become a threat to society because other people’s safety is at risk. Since text messages are more important than the outside world, drivers shift all of their attention to unimportant conversations. However, what people do not realize is that this exciting conversation is a leading factor in many car wrecks (Moser). Because of an increase in deaths, current texting and driving laws have proven to be
The majority of the people in the world owns a cell phone. At this point cell phones have become a part of everyday life. According to the article, “Adolescent Cellphone Uses While Driving”, “in 2014, an estimated 169.3billion texts messages were sent world wide.” (par. 1) This is important because it shows the extreme use of cell phones in our society. Cell phone use and texting has also become a way that teens forge social bonds and promote friendships. (“Adolescent Cellphone par. 1) The problem with all this cellphone use and texting is that people are choosing to text and drive at the same time. Texting while driving should be illegal in every state because driving requires alertness, texting and driving leads to car accidents and deaths, and teen drivers are inexperienced.