Texting And Driving Research Paper

When one pulls out a cell phone while driving and begins texting, it is as if they have placed a blind fold over their eyes, and are now driving blind. Their eyes focus on nothing but the screen of the device. With the push of every character, they become more oblivious to the road, signs, and other cars. Automatically, they are a malignant threat to everyone around them. As more people text and drive, it grows to be more of a serious hazard and threat to the roads and those driving. This serious subject doesn’t just affect one, it affects all. Little actions lead to big consequences. Texting and driving is a dangerous concern, even more so than drunk driving, that limits must be set and certain actions must be taken. Texting and driving
is risky and threatening to everyone. Little actions lead to big consequences, especially while driving.
With just the blink of an eye, a vehicle can go from lane to lane. If one texts and drives, the likeliness of getting into a crash automatically increases by 23 times (Nepper 62). Taking our eyes off the road can lead to serious problems. Five seconds is about the amount an average driver’s attention is taken from the road while texting and driving. Traveling at 55 miles per hour, one can drive the distance of a football field. As people pull out their device to answer a short text, they have already driven 120 yards while not paying attention (Nepper 62). Visual distractions are necessary to read the text message and required to see the keys to respond. A big concern with texting and driving is how people are fully aware of the dangers that it brings. Tragic stories have been heard about the awful consequences that texting and driving has. People are aware of the potential danger and
threat that is poses. Attorney Todd Clement responded to the matter by saying, “Cell phone use is the one thing people think that they can do safely but they desperately want everyone else to stop doing” (“Teens Aware” 18). According to a poll taken in 2008, 38% of teens said that they believe texting and driving is extremely distracting. A year later, the number grew to 48%. Then, two years later, it rose to 59% (“Teens Aware” 18). As technology grows, so does the amount of people who text and drive. Texting and driving is dangerous for everyone and is growing at a rapid pace. As we analyze the dangers of texting and driving, it is easy to see that it is more dangerous than any form of distracted driving, even drunk driving. Texting and driving is more dangerous than drunk driving. Drunk driving is no longer the roads biggest threat. From 1995 to 2009 the annual drunk driving deaths have declined by 500 in Canada. According to the Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New York, “texting and driving has become the number one cause of death on the road among teenagers” (qtd. in “How the War” 4). In Canada, a law was instated that reduced impaired driving. Over three years, that law saved 190 lives. It was also stated that drinking and driving deaths have dropped 52 percent since September of 2010 (Meissner). Many studies have taken place over the years that have data to prove how texting and driving is more dangerous that drinking and driving. In 2006, a study showed that cell phone users are as distracted while driving as those who are intoxicated at the legal blood-alcohol limit. Those who used cell phones were 9% slower to press the brakes, showed 24 percent more variation in following distance, and were 19 percent slower to resume a normal speed when they braked (Walter 35). Statistics have proven how texting and driving is more dangerous than drinking and driving. With all the numerous studies that have been performed, it is simple to see that texting and driving is the real serious matter. Rather than try to continue the fight against drunk driving, it is important that the focus turns on the real killer. There are some that believe that texting while driving is not worse than drinking and driving.
Those who say that refer to voice recognition texting. This is a form of communicating that is done by talking into the device. While this form of texting is hands free and not the same as actually keying in words, it is still very unsafe. With voice recognition, our eyes might be on the road, but our minds aren’t. A study shows that drivers look on the road, but “fail to see up to 50 percent of the information in their driving environment” (qtd in Walter 35). Some say that making texting and driving a big deal isn’t necessary. Those who say that believe that restrictions shouldn’t have to be made. While some restrictions seem unpractical, they are a must. These restrictions are present to prevent more tragedies from occurring. With certain restrictions and laws set, it will make it so less people want to text and drive (How the War 4). Even though some refuse to believe that texting and driving is not as big of a threat as drunk driving and that it should be taken lightly, studies have produced facts that say
otherwise. Texting and driving is a dangerous matter that cannot be taken lightly. As this continues to grow at a significant rate, certain steps must be taken. Stricter laws must be enforced and more severe punishments must be inflicted for such a dramatic thing as texting and driving. Texting and driving is such a dangerous element that is occurring too much. It is far worse than drunk driving and it occurs every day. Texting and driving is dangerous. Texting and driving is deadly. Texting and driving is not worth it.