Safe Driving and Standardized Cell

Safe Driving and Standardized Cell Phone Regulations:

The cell phone industry has experienced tremendous growth in the past few years to an extent that these devices have become more advanced. However, the use of cell phones has also considerable problems, especially when they are used while a person is driving a vehicle. While these devices were initially used for business purposes, they have developed to become a personal necessity over the years. As a result, cell phones play a crucial role in the lives of many people as evident in the number of individuals who currently own these devices. This has in turn contributed to an increased dependence on cell phones in the modern culture. Due to the culture's reliance on mobile phones and the desire for people to usually be accessible, many people use their mobile phones while driving. The increase in cell phone use while driving has resulted in the increase in accidents and lessened safe driving. Due to the increasing number of casualties in which cell phones played a role and the ineffective state laws regulating mobile phones on the road, new regulations on cell phones and driving should be standardized and at a federal level.

History and Status of the Issue:

In the past few years, the popularity of cell phones has escalated since these devices continue to proliferate the market. The increase in the use of these devices while driving has forced the road safety community to become more aware of the possibility for the devices to sidetrack drivers and compromise road safety (Brace, Young & Regan, 2007). The use of a cell phone while driving can distract drivers in three ways including physically, visually, and cognitively. Visual distraction occurs when the drivers takes his eyes off the road, while cognitive distraction takes place when the driver is induced to take his mind off the road and physical distraction occurs when drivers take their hands off the steering wheel. These distractions basically emerge from phone use and have the ability to increase crash risk because they lessen driving performance.

This trend has attracted numerous researches on the issue which have indicated a four-fold increase in crash risk with cell phone use despite of the type of mobile phone application. According to the findings of these analyses, the distractions impair the ability of a driver to maintain a suitable speed, lateral position on the road, and throttle control. Actually, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reported that there has been a significant increase in the number of drivers using hand-held mobile phones while driving (Noder, 2009, p.240). While there is an increase in the number of casualties from this practice, the regulations adopted to deal with the issue have largely been ineffective. As a result, there have been numerous debates on whether the government should regulate mobile phone use while driving and whether the legislation should be a local, state, or federal government responsibility. In addition to other factors, the lack of effective state regulations has played a crucial role in the increase of the effects of using cell phones while driving.

Problems to be addressed:

There are several problems associated with the issue of cell phone use while driving and the ineffective regulations to restrict the use of mobile phones on the road. First, the increased use of these devices while driving has significant impacts on driving performance. This is because mobile phone use during driving distracts the driver physically, cognitively, and visually. The distractions contribute to the inability of drivers to maintain required speed, lateral position, and throttle control on the road. Since the driving performance reduces, the risk of crashes and accidents on the roads increases. Studies have shown that drivers miss 13% targets when talking and 24% when dialing or texting (Brace, Young & Regan, 2007).

Secondly, cell phone while driving contributes to a major social problem of increased crash risk since it endangers the lives of passengers, drivers, and passersby. In addition to the distractions it causes on drivers, this practice is also associated with passenger and passersby distractions. As a result of being distracted by cell phone use while driving, the risk of a serious crash or accident is increased by nearly 3 times. Notably, the increased crash risk occurs regardless of whether the device is a hand-held or hands-free mobile phone. The enhanced crash risk in turn contributes to the increase in the likelihood of road accidents and casualties from such incidents.

Third, legislative measures in individual states to restrict cell phones on the road have largely been ineffective and vary greatly. Actually, there is no state that totally prohibits mobile phones use while driving though 10 states have enacted legislations that ban the use of handheld cell phone (Romero, 2012). While many states enforce certain restrictions on cell phone use while driving, these restrictions do not carry a heavy penalty for violating them. Due to the disparities in legislations governing cell phone use on the road, many people unknowingly violate these laws by using their mobile phones while driving because of ignorance.