Cell Phones While Driving

Cell Phones While Driving

In today’s society, most people rely on their cell phone to do just about anything. Cell phones have opened up many opportunities for communication. There has been an increased reliance on cell phones; people use them to make calls, send text messages, check emails, and even to do research on the internet. There are many advantages to having a device that opens up so much of the world, but people often forget about the dangers that go along with this. One of the biggest risks of using a cell phone is using it while driving; exposing oneself and others to great danger of an accident.

Most people have the liberty of using their cell phone anytime and anywhere. People are so familiar with their phones they often do not put them away when they start their vehicle. These people are like mines, sitting and waiting for their unsuspecting victims. Too many people do not consider the potential danger of using their device when behind the wheel. Being on a phone or texting while driving is distracting to even the most skilled drivers. People continue to use their phone because they are not educated about the seriousness of the potential danger, or maybe because they do not expect to get in an accident. Regardless of the reason, a driver who uses their device while driving is not concerning themselves with the consequences. These people are very hazardous to have on the road.

One thing people need to take in account is it is not the cell phone that is the threat but rather the driver. To use a cell while driving is careless and extremely dangerous for everyone on the road. Drivers using their cell phone are four times more likely to get into an accident, causing approximately 3,600 accidents per day (Insurance Institution Highway Loss). Drivers should use the numerous studies available to educate themselves, their family members and their friends.

When in the driver’s seat a person needs to have their full attention and concentrate on the task at hand. When a person is using his/her cell their brain activity is reduced by up to 37% (Insurance Institution Highway Loss), making the driver unconsciously forgetting to concentrate on their surroundings. If a driver is looking down they are unable to see what is happening on the road; therefore, he/she is unable to react immediately. If a driver has any hesitation in reaction time this could lead to loss of control for the driver. Once the driver loses control of the vehicle he/she may swerve off of the road and cause a serious accident. Many accidents from cell phone use have been known to cause unnecessary serious injury and/or death.

To use a cell phone while driving poses great threat to everyone on the road. There are many long term repercussions from accidents; i.e. injuries and death. In 2010 there were over 3,000 deaths related to distracted driving, 22% were cell phone related. There are ways to reduce the risks of accidents involving cell phones. Students are learning about the risks before getting their drivers licenses and in school. The media has made many people aware by using gruesome advertisements. Most auto makers are now putting ‘Bluetooth’ as standard equipment in new vehicles. Many states have banned hand held devices; like California, Nevada, New York and Washington; implementing hefty fines, but this has not eliminated the cell phone distraction (Insurance Institution Highway Loss). If all states outlaw the usage of cell phones in vehicles could eliminate thousands of accidents per year.