Using a Cell Phone While Driving: It Can Wait
Comp II
June 2nd, 2013
-------------------------------------------------
Using a Cell Phone While Driving: It Can Wait
In recent years, a new and extremely dangerous epidemic has plagued our roads. The use of cell phones while operating vehicles is an ongoing controversy that is resulting in more and more deaths each year. Consequently, we are now dealing with much more than the occasional switch of a radio station, or a casual conversation with a passenger; we are faced with constant preoccupation while driving. Talking/texting while in the car is an extreme distraction to drivers, more so than any other common diversion. Despite what the opposition believes, the evidence that supports this is both compelling and overwhelming. Being distracted while driving, whether by talking or texting on a cellular phone, has been proven to increase the likelihood of accident and injury.
Certainly, some believe that using a mobile phone while driving whether it’s by talking or texting, is no more preoccupying or hazardous than it is to be talking to a passenger or fiddling around with the radio and or navigation system. There’s no doubt that some would argue that all of these things are diversions; however, opponents believe that one cannot prove that cellular phone use causes the most danger of a distraction while driving. According to the Valparaiso Law review, “Although evidence shows that driving while using a cell phone is extremely dangerous, some studies have found it less dangerous than many other activities.” For example, Birem and Hedman (1995) came to the conclusion that, “radio listening led to greater degradations in simulated driving on slippery roads than did hands-free phone conversation”
Obviously, talking/texting while driving poses more of a serious threat to the safety of those on the road than it does to eat, or even to change the radio station. First off, the opponent attempts to use the “red herring” fallacy to shift the focus from cell
June 2nd, 2013
-------------------------------------------------
Using a Cell Phone While Driving: It Can Wait
In recent years, a new and extremely dangerous epidemic has plagued our roads. The use of cell phones while operating vehicles is an ongoing controversy that is resulting in more and more deaths each year. Consequently, we are now dealing with much more than the occasional switch of a radio station, or a casual conversation with a passenger; we are faced with constant preoccupation while driving. Talking/texting while in the car is an extreme distraction to drivers, more so than any other common diversion. Despite what the opposition believes, the evidence that supports this is both compelling and overwhelming. Being distracted while driving, whether by talking or texting on a cellular phone, has been proven to increase the likelihood of accident and injury.
Certainly, some believe that using a mobile phone while driving whether it’s by talking or texting, is no more preoccupying or hazardous than it is to be talking to a passenger or fiddling around with the radio and or navigation system. There’s no doubt that some would argue that all of these things are diversions; however, opponents believe that one cannot prove that cellular phone use causes the most danger of a distraction while driving. According to the Valparaiso Law review, “Although evidence shows that driving while using a cell phone is extremely dangerous, some studies have found it less dangerous than many other activities.” For example, Birem and Hedman (1995) came to the conclusion that, “radio listening led to greater degradations in simulated driving on slippery roads than did hands-free phone conversation”
Obviously, talking/texting while driving poses more of a serious threat to the safety of those on the road than it does to eat, or even to change the radio station. First off, the opponent attempts to use the “red herring” fallacy to shift the focus from cell