Arguementvie_Essay

Missed Call' I’ve had several close calls at intersections and then I see the other driver on the phone, it is enough for me to be convinced not to use the phone while driving. Drivers should quit using a cell phone because of the dangers of distractions while driving. The first reason a driver should quit using a cell phone while driving because it is a dangerous distraction that causes many accidents. Dialing and answering the phone is a major distraction that could cause a driver to be in a collision. Most accidents are caused by some sort of distraction to the driver. Although cell phones are not the number one distraction, cell phone usage is becoming an important factor in automobile safety. The amount of cell phone subscribers is in the millions and will continue to increase overtime. Other distractions that are dangerous while driving are; eating, taking care of children, and reaching for something in the glove box or on the seat. The number one distraction while driving is drowsiness. Cell phone distractions can cause several different effects while driving. Cell phone distractions are responsible for one half of one percent of all accidents in the United States. People are engaged in emotional conversations, and get distracted from driving and their general state of mind. Their concentration and awareness levels for driving safely changes to the state of the conversation and then can endanger themselves or a nearby pedestrian. The brutal effect of accidents and fatalities on families and friends from a simple distraction can be devastating for the driver. Accident rates will only continue to increase if we don’t start regulating the usage of cell phones while driving. Using a cell phone while driving increases your risk of collision by four times. State regulations for cell phones should be enforced to increase safety for drivers. While few states impose regulations: No state bans wireless phones in automobiles. There is several proposed legislation to regulate phone usage. From a total ban of cell phone usage in automobiles, requirements to use hands free devices, and limitations on the length of the call. Cell phone usage has been banned or restricted in 15 states for provisional drivers. Even in my own state of Minnesota, driving while using cell phone, accidents are increasing at alarming rates. Minnesota Law makers have previously rejected laws against driving and using a cellular device. However, in July of 2006 Governor Tim Pawlenty was able to pass a law to restrict under age drivers from using a cell phone. Fatal crashes and hundreds of accidents have occurred in Minnesota because of cell phone use while driving. Drivers have a slower reaction time when engaged in a conversation and drivers need to be aware of this serious issue. Minnesota is also gathering information from accidents that occur because of a cell phone distraction. Collecting data will only prove the facts of accidents and heighten the awareness of cell phone distractions. The officers can use records from cell phone accounts to confirm the accidents report. Having a drivers license is a privilege not a right and they should be responsible when getting behind the wheel. Driving with a cell phone is getting to be as dangerous as drinking and driving. According to the New York Times, “Studies say that drivers using phones are four times as likely to cause a crash as other drivers, and the likelihood that they will crash is equal to that of someone with a .08 percent blood alcohol level; the point at which drivers are generally considered intoxicated.” (New York Times, 2009) Under the new Minnesota law substantial monetary fines and jail sentences can be given for driving and using a cell phone. Along with the fines and jail time they may also have a delay in obtaining a full license. These sentence guidelines are similar to those for drunk driving. The state of Minnesota has stated awareness programs to promote safety behind the wheel. Posters and bill boards have been placed on streets and local highways to start getting the message across to drivers. Public service messages have also been used to convey the dangers and promote safety for Minnesota drivers. Minnesota is only following other states and is also setting a good example by promoting the rules for others to follow. Another reason that a driver should quit using a cell phone while driving is because hands free methods still distract drivers. There is no distinction in safety between using hands free technology and using other mobile devices. Several reports and studies have been completed and in recent surveys there has been a slight decrease. Educating drivers of distractions is key factor for improving safety. Reaching out to young drivers and teaching defensive driving techniques. AAA has a great start with safety campaigns to deliver positive messages to teens for driving safe. However, the “AAA recommends drivers not use their cell phones while driving.”(AAA, 2009) Several court decisions have been changing the liability, back to the distracted driver so it is important to be aware of the responsibility and accountability. Businesses are also changing the rules for cell phone use, so the company is not liable for an accident that occurred during a business call. State and Federal Regulations are starting to change education, awareness, and teen driver restrictions but we need more people to agree of the dangerous distraction of cell phone use. Cell phone use among drivers will continue to grow. As use increases, regulations will be continuously challenged to balance safety concerns against the obvious benefits of the new technology. References AAA Minnesota, Drive Safer, Talk Later (September 2008) Retrieved November 11, 2009, from http://www.autoclubgroup.com/mnia/autos/car_maintenance/articles.asp'articleID=190§ionID=1 Driving Laws, Dialing, Texting, and Driving (July 2009) Retrieved November 11, 2009 from http://www.drivinglaws.org/indexhf.php Gill, D., Drivers and Legislators Dismiss Cell phone Risks (December 2005) Retrieved November 11, 2009, from http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/19/technology/19distracted.html Insurance Information Institute, Inc. Cell Phones and Driving (November 2007) Retrieved November 11, 2009, from http://www.iii.org/media/hottopics/insurance/cellphones/