Cell Phones Are Distractions

A solution should be found immediately to a problem that causes death. In the US only fourteen states have banned cell phone usage while driving while the other thirty-six wait for more research. Since cell phone usage has become more common, research has been undergoing. Top universities such as Harvard have undergone research and published results proving cell phone distraction to be great danger to those driving and other drivers on the road. Arguments of some distractions that are common are eating, reading, and putting make up on. Banning cell phone usage would make the roads safer, lives would be saved, and people would be happier.
If phones were banned entirely during driving the roads would be a much safer environment. Many people argue that multiple distractions can cause a majority of accidents on the road, but research shows a greater risk when using a cell phone. “A study by the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis that estimates 6 percent of vehicle crashes, causing about 2,600 deaths and 12,000 serious injuries a year, are attributable to cell phone use” (Ban Cell Phones While Driving). When looking at a cell phone, the reaction time and the awareness of the road decreases greatly. Reaction times can have a huge effect for those on the road. Just a couple seconds of looking down could be the moment someone pulls out in front of another car. Research after research can be pointed out to prove that using a cell phone while driving can increase the amount of wrecks and possibly death rates more than any other distraction drivers present.
If phones were banned during driving a very large amount of lives would be saved. Research has shown that statistics do not calculate the people affected by the lack of concentration by someone else on the road. Driving with a slower reaction time and lack of awareness puts someone else in danger. The couple seconds someone looks away from the road can easily have an impact on multiple people. “In the moments before a crash or near crash, drivers typically spent nearly five seconds looking at their devices — enough time at typical highway speeds to cover more than the length of a football field” (Richtel A1). In just mere seconds, lives can be taken away. Everyday multiple people are in danger on the road because of one’s choice to respond to a text or answer a phone call. One simple law can allow law enforcers to enforce people on the road to stay off of their cell phone. As simple as it is to lose lives on the road, it is just as easy to prevent the loss from happening.
Throughout the US, people want the usage of a cell phone to be illegal, even those who admit to using a cell phone while driving. Eight in ten drivers support some type of cell phone usage restriction (Driving While Distracted). Why are there so many people supporting a cell phone ban but no action has occurred? Some do not see texting while driving as large of an issue compared to others in debate, so most of the time the fight for cell phone usage to become illegal will be set aside. Rarely in elections has cell phone usage been the topic of discussion, instead many worry about other large issues. However, when someone’s personal life is affected by a wreck, the thought process changes. The people who want the change have to continue to ask questions and vote for those who support what their fighting for. Others have to become more knowledgeable of how to go about making cell phone usage illegal. This law has many supporters behind it, yet no one wants to stand up to confirm it. Banning cell phone usage can be a solution to multiple problems. The roads would be safer, lives would be saved, and people would be happier. Many cars have phones built in and are used by voice command. By pressing a button on your steering wheel, a call can be made by using your voice without taking eyes off the road. This new setting in cars allows our society to become safer and more responsible behind the wheel. If a vehicle does not have this setting, a driver could just pull off to the side of the road to receive or send a text message or a phone call. The people who do not support the changing of the law are those who are not familiar with the statistics and dangers of cell phones. To help make cell phone usage illegal, law enforcers should inform their community of the dangers brought by one distracted driver. People should be informed of ways to prevent using cell phone usage. Using a cell phone while driving is dangerous for everyone on the road and most people support the decision that it needs to be stopped. “There are 270 million cell phone users in the U.S. and eighty percent of them talk on the phone while driving” (Ban Cell Phones While Driving).

Citations
Mike M. Ahlers, Ban Cell Phones While Driving, 2011
Ray LaHood, Driving While Distracted, 2010
Matt Ritchel, New York Times, 2011

Citations: Mike M. Ahlers, Ban Cell Phones While Driving, 2011 Ray LaHood, Driving While Distracted, 2010 Matt Ritchel, New York Times, 2011