In this so
technology forward era you can’t drive down the street without seeing somebody
on their phone in the car next to you. Recently a 21 year old college student
name Chase Bothe foretold his future when he sent a text saying he needed to
quit texting and driving or he would end up in a car crash consequently he
ended up in the exact situation he had texted. Cell phones seem to be an
essential item in the 21st century, but is using it on the road really worth
it?
In the
article, “Cell phone & texting accident statistics,” it said that at least
6,000 deaths and at least half a million injuries are caused by distracted
drivers every year. That is incredibly high amount of fatalities for something
that can wait. According to another article, “What is distracted driving?,” it
stated that “sending or receiving a text
takes a driver's eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the
equivalent-at 55 mph-of driving the length of an entire football field, blind.”
Using a phone and driving can only mean dire consequence according to these
facts. As Chase Bothe said, “Don't do it. It's not worth losing your
life.”
In June
2011, Perry vetoed the HB 242 which would have banned texting while driving.
Texas needs harsher laws for distracted driving. Only two laws were enacted,
one prohibits teens from using cellular devices even if it is hands free and
the other prohibits the use of cell phones in school zones. That isn’t enough
when we can obviously see that there are so many casualties annually. Texas
should ban all phone use on the road. It could change our statistics and make
Texas roads safer. With all the crazy things that already happen on the road a
cell phone should be the last thing on people’s minds.
7 comments:
Driving While Texting, Texting While Driving
After reading Vanessa's commentary Distracted driving is blind driving, I have really put some thought into how we could turn this dire situation around. I agree that we need stricter laws for distracted driving as I will admit that I occasionally use my phone while driving. One option would be to somehow link the driver's cell phone with the ignition and consequently turn off texting capabilities while the car is in drive. The texting feature would be enabled once the car is put into park. Another option would be to disconnect all cell phone services while the car is in drive, although this could possibly hinder emergency calls.
I think that going forward all vehicles should be equipped with the necessary technology to link up with cell phones. This would allow the driver to make calls from the car rather than directly from their phone. This would free up the driver's hands, and still allow them to make "emergency" calls. Some may argue that phone calls distract drivers regardless of whether or not their hands are free, but I believe that it is impossible to eliminate every single distraction from a driver.
I thought Vanessa's blog was very well thought out, though I would have liked to see her include her suggestions for how to solve this problem. She did a great job explaining the problem and giving the reader the relevant background information, I just would have liked to have been presented with options.
When you think about what our generation’s going to be called in the history book I’m convinced it’ll be labeled the era of a rapid growing technological evolution. Within two decades advancements in computer graphics, means of communication, and all over technology has expanded generously. As we’ve grown up surrounded by this, what else would you expect from people our age? Children these days are even having their textbooks replaced by iPads. It looks like soon kids will think of books as prehistoric artifacts rather than a learning device that isn’t actually virtual.
I agree to some extent; it seems like we should put a ban on texting while driving. But, I don’t think it should be up to the government to enforce this. Call me old fashion but people need to be more responsible and realize they can not only take their own life but also take someone else’s. That should be common sense and by texting and driving you’re asking for something horrendous to happen.
To answer your question, no it’s not worth it. I for one refuse to check a text message or even talk on the phone while driving because I don’t feel like risking a life by simply being distracted. I feel like there’s a lot more to be aware of while driving a 3,000-pound piece of steel then a piece of technology. I think it’s wrong to fully blame distraction on cell phones though, there are so many other attributes that you have to take into effect. “Distraction” according to the U.S. Government Website for Distracted Driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. Something so simple like adjusting the radio or even taking a drink endangers drivers, passengers, and bystander safety.
People are going to text and drive weather or not it’s illegal. The best way to end distracted driving is to educate Americans about the danger it poses. It’s sad but true what Rick Perry said in mid-June of this year, “I support measures that make our roads safer for everyone, but House Bill 242 is a government effort to micromanage the behavior of adults.”
It’s sad to think that people can’t put their phones down for a single car ride. What if we did enforce a ban on texting and driving, what good would it actually do? A study done recently in by the Highway Loss Data Institute found that amongst three of the four states studied had experienced higher numbers of motor vehicle accidents after banning texting while driving. So just because it seems like a good idea doesn’t mean it will inevitably succeed.
Although I agree that texting while driving is a major issue on the road, banning all cell phone usage while driving is going a little bit overboard in my opinion. Yes, it may lower road accidents and fatalities, but on the other hand, it just gives law enforcement more of a reason to pull people over, causing even more frustration and commotion.
Additionally, many people are not prepared to give up cell phone usage while driving, it will simply create a burden for people who are responsible enough to know when to use a phone while driving, especially in the event of an emergency call.
According to your statistic, "sending or receiving a text takes a driver's eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds." That right there shows that some people (mostly teenagers) cannot drive safely in the first place, and phone use makes them even worse drivers. Really, you shouldn't take your eyes off the road for two or three seconds at the most, and it must be reminded to notorious road texters frequently. Better technology may also be a solution. Advanced hands-free systems may prevent distracted driver tendencies.
In conclusion, there are already pretty strict laws in place targeting cell phone use while driving, risking hefty fines and punishment. Additionally, one can be charged with a high-degree manslaughter charge in the event of a traffic fatality.
Vanessa Tamayo’s blog post “Distracted driving is blind driving ” is relevant and accurate. Texting while driving is incredibly dangerous! My favorite line Vanessa wrote was that texting is “something that can wait.” Incorporating a no texting while driving law is just putting restrictions on when it is allowed; no text is ever as important as a life but unfortunately, according to Vanessa’s blog, 6,000 deaths from texting while driving happen annually.
In addition, I believe if someone is riding a bicycle, they should follow the same rules as a vehicle; including not texting while on the road. Changing songs on an iPod or media on any electric device is just as dangerous as texting because the driver does not have total focus on the road. Their attention is being divided between at least two different things. I think banning the use of electronics would help eliminate accidents having to do with distractions whether you’re riding a bike or driving a vehicle.
Unfortunately, people will still continue to text while driving regardless of the law. I have seen a public service commercial showing the dangerous and tragic results of texting while driving. Public service announcements on the dangers of texting while driving could be shown at the TX Dept of Public Safety for people waiting in lines. The effects are serious and people should know why texting should never be done by the driver of a moving vehicle.
Texting while driving is possibly one of the most dangerous things to do. In this day and age it is true that you can’t go about your day without seeing anyone texting or making a call while driving. Quite frankly it scares me. Vanessa Tamayo posted “Distracted driving is blind driving” on her blog LoneStar Livin’, where she addressed the issue of people texting while driving distracts them. She starts out by introducing a link to a video of a victim of this action. Apparently the victim Chase Bothe had a car accident while trying to text his recipient with a text saying “he needed to quit texting and driving or he would end up in a car crash.” He foretold his own future.
I agree with the author when she states that, “Texas needs harsher laws for distracted driving.” Yes, there are a lot of people guilty of using their cell phones while driving - and it should really stop - but people should know for themselves that being distracted while driving is really dangerous. If lawmakers make a law for this it would be great, but I think people would still get away with it. In my opinion, people are smart enough to know that driving while distracted is dangerous not only for them but for the people around them. I especially like how the author ended her post with a sentence that states, “With all the crazy things that already happen on the road a cell phone should be the last thing on peoples mind.” In other words, pay attention to the road people!
Overall, reading this post gave me great information with good links and articles of current statistic reports of car accidents due to distracted driving.
LoneStar Livin brings up a very good point that cell phones need to be banned on the roads. However, it would have been better if they put a few more statistics or ways to be able to enact that law. It is not reasonable for Texas to outright ban cell phone use, because as LoneStar Livin stated, they need to be used for emergency cases. Also there should be effort made by cell phone companies and cars. We have such advanced technological advances that they should invent something that allows more hands-free cell phone use.
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