Cell Phones should never be Used While Driving.
The role that cellular phones play in the contemporary society is critical. However, debate continues on whether people should be allowed to use their phones while driving on the roads. Several countries have legislated laws to handle this issue (Sturnquist, 2007). Drivers use their cellular phone for the same purpose as ordinary people; make calls, receive calls or text messaging. Although cellular phones ensure communication with family members, colleagues and workmates, this paper argues that it is improper to use them while driving. Drivers should not compromise their lives and that of others by using their phones while driving. Indeed, accidents that occur on the roads continue to drain the resources of families, businesses and government, and as such, there is a need to ensure sanity on the roads.
Some opinions posit that people have the freedom do whatever they want in their vehicles as guaranteed by the constitution. They argue that people should do whatever he or she wants while inside their vehicles. They claim that using phones is not the only distraction in a vehicle. People can be distracted as they switch radio stations, or when talking to the other occupants (Soard & Maker, 2012). Indeed, phone-related accidents account for only 26% of all accidents reported in any given year (Sudhoff, 2012, p. 77). Although this claim may be valid, “because using cellular phones while driving can distract drivers from the road and cause harm to themselves and others” (Soard & Maker, 2012, p. 20). Accordingly, drivers ought to pull over either to receive calls, or postpone their use of the phones until when not driving.
The drivers who use cellular phone while driving not only risk their lives, but also the lives of others. Studies indicate that most accidents are caused by lack of concentration on the part of the driver. For example, using a cell phone leads to a reduction in a driver’s level of concentration. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (2005), a driver using a cell phone is more likely to cause accidents than non-users. Indeed, it has been proved that even the best drivers can easily cause an accident when distracted by a ringing phone. According to a recent survey by the National Safety Council in the U.S., about 26% of accidents in the country are phone related.
| Cause of accident | Phone | Messaging | Others |
| Accidents (percentage) | 26% | 5% | 69% |
Source: Sturnquist (2007, p. 177).
Motor vehicle accidents, which continue to be reported on our roads on a regular basis, are harmful in various ways. For the drivers and passengers, these accidents can result into injuries that might even be crippling to the people concerned (Sudhoff, 2012). In addition, motor vehicle collisions result in the damage of property worth millions of dollars, a cost that might prove difficult to recover in some cases. Moreover, there are other adverse ramifications of accidents which include time lost that could have been used in a constructive activity, health care expenses, litigation and other related administrative costs. These expenses can be avoided if people drove on the roads with much caution and avoided the use of cellular phones.
In towns or urban centers, accidents that occur during peak hours can be disheartening to many people. Such accidents induce a “surge in traffic congestion, response time, and grief to those affected” (Sturnquist, 2007, p.126). This means, if the use of cellular phones can cause such inconveniences, then motorists and other policy makers should be worried. Similarly, insurance companies and businesses that bear the burden of such accidents should be concerned and push for stiff penalties for those who use phones while driving (Sudhoff, 2012).
Empirical evidence shows that drivers should not engage in phone conversations while driving, since a lot of concentration is required on the road. Driver performance studies valuate how use of cell phones affects driver’s concentration. The studies look at the maneuvers that drivers engage in, for instance when looking for the phone to initiate a conversation or send a message, while driving (Sturnquist, 2007). In addition, studies evaluate the effect of picking a phone that has fallen as well as holding the phone close to the ear. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (2005), reports that the various tasks and responsibilities required for each task takes a certain amount of time that should be focused on the road. The studies conclude that the use of cellular phones takes a considerable amount of a driver’s mental energy and coordination, and this might lead to some complications, which might lead to a collision. However, there is insufficient data on whether hands-free models are safer compared to hand-held models. Although there are those who argue that hands-free phones leads to a better driving experience, further studies are required to verify such claims (Sudhoff, 2012). Indeed, an amendment to the Highway Traffic Act (HTA), which came into force on October 26, 2009 allowed drivers to use phones in hands-free mode (Sudhoff, 2012).
The parameters involved in using cell phones while driving have raised many issues including the controversy over which element contributes more to road carnage. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (2005), the most distracting element, while using a phone, is dialing. Indeed, available evident from Japan supports this assertion. In Japan most distractions come from conversions rather than dialing (Sudhoff, 2012). Sturnquist (2007), points out that conversation can get emotional leading to loss of control of the vehicle. Indeed, such distraction takes a considerable amount of the driver’s mental capability to steer the vehicle well on the road leading to a crash or collision (Sudhoff, 2012).
Case reports of accidents that involve the use of cellular phones are not common, and such data, to some extent, is hard to get in some states. Some 38 states ban texting while driving while 31 do not allow the use of phones while driving. However, in most cases police do not record information on whether the driver was using a cellular phone or not before a crash or collision. Even in places where such information is provided, there are serious doubts on whether the phone was the main cause of the accident. On the other hand, drivers are reluctant in reporting the use of phones while driving for fear of being held responsible for an accident. Although witnesses could be more reliable in providing such information, in most cases, they are not available or the information might be ignored by the police (Sudhoff, 2012). However, in some states such as Massachusetts, police have been vigilant on the use of phones while driving. For instance, Aaron Deveau, 18, was sentenced to “two years in prison for causing a fatal crash while by texting while driving on Feb. 20 2011” (Mach, 2011, par. 1). Deveau’s vehicle crashed head on into Donald Bowley’s truck, killing him instantly. Massachusetts has a law that makes it illegal to text while driving.
In conclusion, the use of phones while driving should not be allowed because of the inherent risks associated with such behavior. It is an imperceptible and ill advised to compromise one’s life on the road by using a phone to communicate. In addition, the costs that come with collisions and accidents are enormous for families, businesses, and governments to bear. Governments should legislate tougher laws for drivers who engage in such activities. In addition, traffic laws must be enforced strictly to ensure compliance with safe driving practices on the roads. If this is not done, society will continue to bear the high cost of road accidents.
References
Mach, A. (2011). Massachusetts Teen Sentenced To Prison for Texting While Driving. Retrieved from http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/06/06/12090348-massachusetts-teen-sentenced-to-prison-for-texting-while-driving
Soard, T. & Maker, S. (2012). Fleet Driver Safely. New York: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Sturnquist, D.M. (2007). Mobile Phones and Driving. New York: Nova Science Publishers.
Sudhoff, L. M. (2012). Effects of Cognitive Processing and Cell Phone Use While Driving. Washington, DC: BiblioBazaar.
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (2005). Traffic Safety Facts. Retrieved from http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810623.pdf
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