No Cell Phones While Driving

No Cell Phones while Driving
Kirk K. Ronolo
COMM/215
July 10, 2012
Han Nee Chong Wester

No Cell Phones while Driving
In today's world of advanced wireless technology, it is very uncommon for someone not to own a cell phone. In fact as of August 2011, 83% of American adults own cell phones. (Smith, 2011) Of these 83%, how many of them are using cell phones while driving? In todays fast paced world of "Time is money, and money is time" Americans are searching for shortcuts to accomplish more tasks in less time. With the convenience of the cell phone more American adults consider it a luxury to conduct business on the go while driving in vehicles. Is this practical, or does America need to make a change now? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) cell phone use while driving is considered distracted driving. The main characteristics of distraction are: visual distraction, manual distraction, and cognitive distraction. Operating a cell phone while driving incorporates all three characteristics of distracted driving and is a major contributor to motor vehicle accidents. (Mallory) Using your cell phone while driving is an accident waiting to happen. Drivers using cell phones are 4 times more likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. (Simon Hosking, 2000)
Cell phone use while driving is extremely dangerous. In order to use your phone it requires you to take your eyes off of the road to focus on the number you're calling which is a visual distraction. You also have to use your hands to dial the phone number you're calling, which is a manual distraction, and once a driver is thinking about their conversation instead of driving it is a cognitive distraction. One of these distraction characteristics in itself is a weapon of mass distruction, but put all three of them together and what you have is a recipe for a catastrophe of major proportions.
When your concentration is distracted while driving the risk of collisions is imminent. According to 2009 NHTSA reports, the drivers most likely to be distracted by their cell phones are those between 30 and 39 years old. 24% of distracted drivers in this age group who were involved in injury crashes were reported to be distracted by cell phones. (Mallory) Commenting on distracted driving, in an editorial by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, he says "Studies show when a driver looks away from the road to send a text-message, he or she is concentrating on something other than the road for 4.6 of every six seconds. At 55 miles per hour, that is like driving the length of a football field blindfolded." (Sorkin, 2010) Each and every one of these distractions are preventable. As American adults we need to put some responsibility back into our lives and be better examples of drivers for our younger generation looking up to and learning from our behavior.
The most important reason cell phone use while driving is extremely dangerous is because it is a distraction which can lead to a collision which in turn can end in death. Teenage drivers ages 15-20 are especially vulnerable to death on our roadways. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in America. Teenagers are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers. Through research we know the behaviors which contribute to teen-related crashes. Inexperience and immaturity, combined with speed, drinking and driving, not wearing seat belts, distracted driving, and drowsy driving. (Teen Drivers) According to the NHTSA 3,092 fatalaties reported in 2010 were caused due to distracted driving crashes. (Morisset, 2011) In conclusion, although there are many distractions to drivers on Americas roadways today, cell phone use while driving is gravely dangerous for two main reasons. First cell phone use is a preventable distraction, but most importanatly cell phone use is a preventable distraction which can result in serious bodily injury and also death. I am sure that if I were to ask ten people if they have ever been in or know someone who has been in an automobile crash that was a result of distracted driving I would get a yes from all ten people. Therefore as Americans we need to stand together and make a difference. The best way to stop distracted driving is to educate Americans about the dangers of cell phone use while driving.

Distracted Driving. (n.d.). Distraction.gov, 1.
Mallory, F. (n.d.). Why Should You Not Be Using Your Cell Phone While Driving? eHow, 1.
Morisset, M. (2011). NHTSA Revises Methods for Distracted-Driving Data Collection. Online Auto Insurance News, 1.
Simon Hosking, K. Y. (2000). The Effects of Text Messaging on Young Novice Driver Performance.
Smith, A. (2011). Americans and Their Cell Phones . Pew Internet, 1.
Sorkin, J. (2010). NHTSA Report: Cell phone-re;ated driving deaths on the rise in US. TOPNEWS, 1.
Teen Drivers. (n.d.). NHTSA, 1.