The dangers of texting while driving

Introduction:
Automobile crashes as a result of texting while driving is an outbreak that has taken the nation by storm over the past decade. Whether people think they can safely type on their phone while driving, or just don’t think there is any real danger in the act does not matter. Texting while driving must be stopped. To do this government must take action to both add uniformity to the laws and punishments bestowed on the offenders. But, it is also vital that the government provide ample educational programs in order to spread the message about the dangers of tapping the keyboard while behind the wheel.
Research question: Are the steps taken by the Government enough to stop the plague of texting while driving?
Literature Review: Texting and driving is one of the largest epidemics to sweep the nation. The progression of text messaging, with more capable phones and larger numbers of people engaging than ever before, has turned into one of the largest distractions in the world. Every year, 21% of fatal car crashes involving teenagers were the result of using their cell phone while behind the wheel. This statistic is expected to grow as much as 4% every year. One segment of the nation’s population appears particularly vulnerable is the fact that sixty-three percent of these fatal crashes involved drivers between the ages of 18 and 24 (Curleigh, Mole, and Lari 19). A national survey revealed that the teens themselves admit that texting is their number-one distraction while driving (Fony). But, this is not just a problem among teen drivers. Texting increased from 9.8 billion messages a month in January of 2009 to 99.4 billion in January of 2010 (Bandelier 28). As quoted in “Time for a Change,” researcher Alan M. Tercero claims, “As many as 70 percent of those messages are being sent by people driving cars” (Automotive Review Council 29). One-fifth of adult drivers in the country also report sending text messages while driving. (Statistics on Texting & Cell Phone Use While Driving, 2010). Texting while driving is a growing trend, and a national epidemic, quickly becoming one of the country’s top killers. Drivers assume they can handle texting while driving and remain safe, but the numbers don’t lie. Texting while driving has caused more than 1,600,000 accidents and 330,000 injuries per year (National Safety Council).

According to Institute for Hwy Safety Fatality Facts, 11 teens die every day due to texting while driving. Nearly 25% of all car accidents are caused by texting while driving. (Trying to Hit the Brake on Texting While Driving, NY Times, 2014).
Discussion:
Many laws have been passed against the use of cellphone while driving in many of the developed countries such as United States of America, Canada United Kingdom, and Australia etc. Although it is very important that the Government takes action to unify and strictly enforce texting while driving laws, it is even more paramount that strong educational programs are made both available and mandatory to prospective drivers. Currently, one of the only programs in place is run by a private company. AT&T, a major cell phone carrier, has taken a large progressive step forward by launching its “It Can Wait” campaign. The campaign’s aim is to provide facts, statistics, and stories, while also using a very emotionally provoking documentary film to encourage kids to pocket their phones while behind the wheel.(AT&T Announces It Can Wait Campaign on the Dangers of Text Messaging and Driving.” IntoMobile, 27 Dec. 2010.)
Conclusion:
In order to effectively diminish the amount of texting while driving deaths, it is necessary that the government pass legislation that will unify laws against and strengthen punishment for texting while driving. It should also no longer be a question when and where texting behind the wheel is illegal. Every area should have the same exact laws against texting. The punishments must also be stiffened, forcing people to reach deeper into their pockets if caught texting. A heftier fine, as well as license suspension would be a strong discouragement for people to keep their fingers off the keypad. Besides new laws against texting while driving, it is also vital that the government make it a requirement to pass a mandatory distracted driving class as a final step in ensuring that the nation understands the horrific danger that can occur simply from reading texts while driving.

Texting While Driving: A Deadly Dilemma
Shehryar Abbas
Roll # 18-10201
Forman Christian College