Cellphones
By: Alex Guzman
Should cellphones be used while driving?
Cellphones should not be allowed while driving. They're many risks that are taking place while using a cellphone, they're a distraction to the driver and there are laws already put into place around the world restricting cellphone use while driving.
What Are The Risks?
"Crash risk is four times higher when a driver uses a cell phone. whether or not hands-free." stated by teensdriversource.org. One out of every car accident is associated with cell phone use. While you're at risk, you're also putting the people in your car and as well as the people outside your car at risk. Teen drivers are four times more likely to have a car accident than an adult driver while texting or driving. This is a growing problem in the United States. "In 2013, 3,154 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers." as told by distraction.gov
Cellphones As A Distraction
"Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting." stated by distraction.gov. In 5 seconds going around 55 mph that's enough time to cover the entire length of a football field. Also "There is no safe way to use a cellphone while driving" says the National Safety Council. Everyone thinks that they can multitask, well think twice before trying to multitask while driving. Talking on the phone or texting on it require the brain to think and process what's on screen. The problem is that driving requires massive attention and without out that attention you could end up crashing. So while having your brain switch from focusing on the road and texting. You may ask waht about the hand-free devices, well tough to say that it is essensatilly the same thing to having a hand held device. Your brain is still trying to do two things at the same time. So think twice before you text and drive because it can wait.
Volkswagen: Eyes on the road
How Do We Prevent Cellphone Use On The Road?
A question that many people want to know the answer to is "how can we prevent and stop cellphone use while driving before anymore tragedies happen?" Well, in the United States, 15 states have banned all cell phone use while driving. If the law is broken in one of these 15 states, the fine starts at 75 dollars and may go up depending on the circumstances. On January 1, 2014 the state of Illinois prohibits hand held phones while driving but it is acceptable to use a hand-free device if you are over the age of 18. If you get caught violating this law in Illinois and in other states, your driver license may be suspended.
In Conclusion
Cellphones should not be used while driving. They're a risk to you and your passengers and as well as the people around your vehicle. Cellphones distract you from keeping your eyes on the road. Now that states are making laws and enforcing them to prevent less car crashes due to cellphones. Next time a friend texts you while driving, just remember: it can wait.
Bibliography
Work cited
- "Facts and Statistics." Distracted Driving : Facts And Statistics. Web. 14 June 2015.
- "Distracted Driving." Map of Hand-held Cellphone Bans. Web. 14 June 2015.
- "Statistics." Stats: Cell Phone Use. Web. 14 June 2015.
- "Illinois: Cell Phone & Texting Laws, Legislation." Hands Free Info. Web. 14 June 2015.
- "Distracted Driving: Problem of Cell Phone Distracted Driving." Distracted Driving: Problem of Cell Phone Distracted Driving. Web. 14 June 2015.
Google pictures and videos
- http://www.dysart-law.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/texting-while-driving.jpg
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R22WNkYKeo8
- http://www.iihs.org/frontend/iihs/laws/datastoreimages.ashx?documentName=HandHeldBanChart