The use of cell phone while driving should be banned in all states. The cell phone has become one of the best-liked and fascinating technological inventions of the 21st century. Currently, the cellular phone has turn out to be a major safety concern in our roads. In the United States alone, there are over two hundred million users of this communication device. Driving while drunk was at one time the main reason for road accidents but now the danger has shifted to cell phone users. The possibility of drivers using their cell phones and involving in road accidents is on the rise. Even though the passing of laws on cellular phone usage in some states has occurred, what is the position of the other states concerning this crucial issue? Is it worth to ban its use across all the states?
During this decade, cell phone use while driving has developed into a major crisis that the government should give immediate attention. Although some officials of the government do not recognize its impact on our roads, it is considerable to limit or totally outlaw its use while driving. Robert W. Hahn and Paul C. Tetlock did an analysis in the year 2000 and approximated that about 10,000 severe road accidents would be due to cell phone use that year, and about one hundred lives would be lost. Two years later, another study by the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis took place. In the analysis, they discovered that cell phone use while driving causes about six percent of America’s motor vehicle accidents yearly, leading to 2,600 fatalities and causing harm to about 330,000 other people(“Cell phone use while driving fact sheet,” para.4). These analyses illustrate the increase level of susceptibility just after two years of research.
The cell phone industry has defended itself by claiming that the device is of great essence during emergencies. The industry is not in favor of cell phone ban while driving as they assert that it is one of the most celebrated safety devices created in modern times. The industry is forgetting that not long ago when no one was in possession of a mobile phone, business was going on as usual. In as much as they are useful in urgent situations, there is absolutely no need for a driver to have it in his or her vehicle and use it. All the other businesses, besides driving, can indeed wait until the individual is motionless. The use of a mobile phone in a vehicle should be restricted to a passenger or a driver to use it in case of a tragedy such as an accident.
Why does a person continue to advocate for cell phone use while driving while it is common sense knowledge that it is a means of drawing attention from the road? It is not an easy task to concentrate behind the wheel and engage in a conversation at the same time (Lee, 1). The use of a cell phone while driving is even more risky than driving a vehicle while drunk. All drivers should concentrate while operating a vehicle on the road. Even if passing a law on common sense is hard, it is possible to liberate and motivate it. Every driver needs to pay close attention of what he or she is doing and where he or she is destined.
Opponents suggest that using a cell phone while driving is acceptable when one is a professional driver. However, the fact is that talking on a cell phone when behind the wheel is an anti-social behavior that risks the lives of other innocent people. This does not depend on how much “professional” the driver is or his or her level of carefulness. Cell phone use while driving splits the concentration of the driver and puts the lives of other road users in danger. It lowers the driver’s degree of competency to take charge of the vehicle and increases the reaction time when faced with a dangerous situation. The responsibility endowed on the driver is huge as his or actions directly relates to the livers of others. By talking on a cell phone while behind the wheel, such a huge task is treated with impunity and the risks associated with it ignored. No driver, regardless of his or her level of professionalism, has the right to drive while at the same time using a mobile phone.
The speaking on a cell phone while driving for long duration of time puts the driver at a risk of experiencing mood changes. Moods and attitudes influence the capability to perform tasks effectively. If the person behind the wheel is engaged in an enjoyable dialogue, his or her attitude regarding other drivers tends to be less hostile. Alternatively, if the person is engaged in a disturbing dialogue, a disagreement, his or her attitude shifts to hostility and forcefulness.
An argument has it that mobile phone use has significantly lowered the level of stress in persons hence prohibiting its use while driving will create hitches associated with loss of competency and time. It comes out as an advantage because most people have developed the habit of using mobile phones particularly when driving to save time at the work place. Conversely, while driving, which one is worth saving? Is it the life of the driver and other road users or time? The value of life is not comparable to the type of “saving” that one may desire to make. The judgment of a driver deteriorates when he or she is under the influence of something (“Drivers on cell phones,” para.3) Nowadays, mobile phones are very complicated that they are essential in performing varied tasks. In addition to talking on the phone, some people are texting, searching the internet, and taking photo. The risk of change of attention from driving is high in these circumstances.
It is clear that the use of mobile phones while driving add to the risk of fatal incidents as well as crashing. Nevertheless, why are our legislators too slow to pass laws that prohibit it? About forty nations have strict rules that either totally forbids or limits the use of cell phones while driving. In this great country, only six states have well laid down regulations that ban the use of cell phones while operating a vehicle. This calls for enactment of more laws to curb this deadly practice. Optimistically, in the future all the fifty states will come to terms with this realty and have cell phone regulations. In anticipation of that time, we will not fully grasp the number of fatalities that could have been avoided were the laws to be enacted at this opportune time.
Work cited
“Cell phone use while driving fact sheet.” National Safety Council. 2009. Web.
“Drivers on cell phones.” University of Utah. 2006.
Lee, John. “Dangers of driver distractions.” University of Wisconsin-Madison. 2009. Web.