Banning Cellular Activity While Driving

Banning cellular activity while driving

In the United States, the leading causes of accidents are due to distracted drivers. Each day more than 9 people are killed, and more than 1,000 people are injured in car accidents caused by individuals that are driving and doing other activities at the same time. Distracted driving is doing anything that lessens the driver’s focus and concentration on the operation of a vehicle. However, the leading distraction has been reported to be the use of cellphones whilst operating motor vehicles. Is the usage of cellphones really worth a life? I propose that all cellular activity be banned while driving in the United States.

There are three main types of distracted driving. Visual distraction allows an individual to take their eyes of the road, manual distraction is actually taking your hands of the wheel, and cognitive distraction is taking your mind off the task at hand which is driving. The use of a cellphone while driving inhibits the user by all three types of distractions noted above. This puts all our lives in jeopardy. Unfortunately, a text message sent resulted in the loss of a dear friend of mine.

Upon the analysis of this law being implemented, the cause of accidents due to drivers being distracted by cellphone usage should decrease. Nearly 70% of drivers in the United States between the ages of 18-24 have admitted to driving while texting and talking on their phones. President Obama has issued an executive order prohibiting federal employees from texting while driving on government business or with government equipment. How many deaths and injuries will we allow these cell phone distractions to cause in the United States? It’s just not worth it. No text or phone call is equivalent to a live.