Dangers Of Texting And Driving

Dangers of Texting and Driving
George Koudelka
COM/155
February 09, 2014
Amy Hankins

Dangers of Texting and Driving
The letters LOL, TTYL, or just saying "Hey" have the power to cause an accident within seconds. The National Safety Council estimates that "1.4 million accidents occur every year due to people using their cell phones. 200,000 of those accidents alone are from texting while driving."(How) The popularity of mobile devices has had some unintended and even dangerous consequences. We now know that mobile communications are linked to a significant increase in distracted driving, resulting in injury and loss of life. With this said some people believe that texting and driving needs to be closely monitored because of the risk it involves. While other people think that it is alright to use the phone while driving as long as we keep glancing at the road while replying to the text. 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. This epidemic negatively affects teens and their society and should be strictly avoided.
Using cell phone causes many distractions for our eyes, our mind, and our actions. It is easily possible for our eyes to slip off the road. The Tampa Bay Times claims that it "takes seconds to get eyes off the highway and takes self-control"(Cox). Therefore, instead of our eyes locking in on the phone they should be locked on watching our speed, the road, and traffic. At the same time, while driving our mind can only process so much. According to Goldsborough "the human mind is not capable of texting and driving" (Goldsborough). Similarly, Cox confirms "driving is one mind chore" (Cox). In addition, our mind needs to focus on one thing while driving, and that is the road. Simultaneously, the usage of our phone while driving makes us unaware of the happenings that may occur on the road.
Texting while driving not only endangers us but other people on the road as well. Texting while driving can limit our response to someone coming out of nowhere, whether if it is a child, an adult, or a group of teens. Current Health Teens magazine identifies, when we text and drive there is "less time to response to a roadway danger" (Hang up and drive). When having less time to respond to something in the road while texting and driving, may lead to many accidents and deaths. In addition, the usage of our phone while driving can cause a dangerous environment to the people around us on the road. "Texting While Driving" states that texting and driving had become a "prominent social issue, and it is a most hazardous practice that risks accidents to drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians." (Texting While Driving). Anyone can walk into the road at any time of the day and staying off the phone prevents anyone from getting hurt. In the same way, texting while driving causes many dangers risking not only young teen 's lives, but also adult lives in future accidents.
There are many simple solutions to stop texting while driving. We can avoid texting while driving by texting before we drive. The article "How to Stop Text Messaging While Driving" declares that, "before departing, send a text message to anyone who is likely to send an incoming text message, asking them to refrain until a set time." The article also insists, "Texting is fun, and it can be addictive, too. But with lives on the line, it is important to have a safe driving habits"(How to Stop Text Messaging While Driving). Henceforth, having safe driving habits all start with keeping both hands on the wheel, eyes on the road and mind focused on what 's happening. Moreover, texting and driving may have a reachable desire but there is a solution by placing the phone out of reach. "How to Stop Text Messaging While Driving" points out that, "instant technology creates its own sense of urgency but at the end of the day, most text of our cell phone, and do not let it control us. The one person who decides when and how to send or read a message (How to Stop Text Messaging While Driving)." Above all, placing the phone out of reach helps if we pay attention to driving instead of wondering what the message says. Additionally, to prevent texting while driving simply ignore the phone by turning it off. "Driver Safety" website notes to "turn off your cell phone. Let voicemail capture your voice and text messages" (Driver Safety). Also, "How to Stop Text Messaging while Driving" agrees to, "turn the telephone off while driving. It is important to focus on just driving"(How to Stop Text Messaging While Driving). In summary, turning the cell phone off will prevent any possible accidents making a safe environment for not only the passengers in the vehicle, but for others as well.
The numbers speak for themselves; too many accidents have occurred as a result of people using cell phones while driving. Lives continue to be endangered when people haphazardly think they need to get in touch with friends or family. If we can just wait until we get to our destination before having to contact or respond to our messages danger can be avoided and lives will be spared. Remember; think before using the phone because life is precious and short enough already.

Work Cited:
1. Cox, John Woodrow. "BAY AREA BACKS BAN ON TEXTING; In a poll, nearly 90 percent favor a proposal that would make texting while driving illegal." Tampa Bay Times [St. Petersburg, FL] 1 Jan. 2013: 1A. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. 2. "Driver Safety." Safety. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. 3. Goldsborough, Reid. "Texting as social regress." Teacher Librarian 39.5 (2012): 73. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. 4. "Hang up and drive." Current Health Teens, a Weekly Reader publication Mar. 2012: 5. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. 5. "How Many Accidents Are There per Year Due to Texting?" WikiAnswers. Answers, n.d. Web. 07 Feb. 2013. 6. "Texting While Driving." Gale Student Resources in Context. Detroit: Gale, 2012. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. 7. "How to Stop Text Messaging While Driving." Poll Finds Support for Ban on Texting at the Wheel, By M Connelly, NY Times, Sept. 27, 2009.

Cited: 1. Cox, John Woodrow. "BAY AREA BACKS BAN ON TEXTING; In a poll, nearly 90 percent favor a proposal that would make texting while driving illegal." Tampa Bay Times [St. Petersburg, FL] 1 Jan. 2013: 1A. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. 2. "Driver Safety." Safety. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. 3. Goldsborough, Reid. "Texting as social regress." Teacher Librarian 39.5 (2012): 73. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. 4. "Hang up and drive." Current Health Teens, a Weekly Reader publication Mar. 2012: 5. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. 5. "How Many Accidents Are There per Year Due to Texting?" WikiAnswers. Answers, n.d. Web. 07 Feb. 2013. 6. "Texting While Driving." Gale Student Resources in Context. Detroit: Gale, 2012. Gale Student Resources In Context. Web. 17 Jan. 2013. 7. "How to Stop Text Messaging While Driving." Poll Finds Support for Ban on Texting at the Wheel, By M Connelly, NY Times, Sept. 27, 2009.