Cell phone use while driving and traffic safety risks

¶ … Cell Phone Use While Driving

Stating the problem

Cell phones and concentration while driving

Texting while driving

There has been a lot of controversy regarding cell phones and individuals using them while driving during recent years and while most states have issued bans meant to regulate this problem, there are still some that do not penalize drivers who use their phones while driving. The fact that cell phones have become the most popular consumer product ever plays an important role in making it difficult for people to refrain from using their cell phones while driving. Many drivers today use cell phones while driving and generally express indifference concerning campaigns meant to raise public awareness about the dangers associated with such behavior. Cell phones need to be banned in all states in order for the streets to become a safer place, as only by taking extreme measures are the authorities likely to reduce the number of accidents caused by the act.

III. Cell phones and concentration while driving

Many individuals are unable to understand the gravity of the situation, use cell phones while driving, and support this practice as they consider that this is just another attempt by the authorities to infringe their civil rights. "The use of a cell phone is the most common distraction while driving" (Plotnik & Kouyoumjian 148). This makes it possible for individuals to gain a more complex understanding of the matter and to acknowledge that it is actually important for them to concentrate on a single thing while driving.

Controlled processes involve people's ability to concentrate on a single concept, regardless of other activities that happen around them. "Controlled processes are activities that require full awareness, alertness, and concentration to reach some goal" (Plotnik & Kouyoumjian 148). As long as they struggle to concentrate on a single concept, people are less capable to perform other activities. When they drive and use their cell phones, individuals focus most of their attention on talking and are thus providing driving with lesser attention.

The fact that people provide lesser attention to driving while talking on their phones actually discourages the use of hands-free devices. While most people believe that using hand-free technology means that they are no longer likely to experience an accident, the truth is that this too can distract an individual to the point where he or she is no longer able to focus on driving.

Many are inclined to believe that they will experience little to no problems as they driving and talking on their cell phones as long as they are on an open road with little obstacles or curves. However, the reality is that driving requires constant alertness, as anything can happen while on the road. An animal might jump in front of a car, a tire might explode, and so on, thus meaning that people can provide very little attention to the actual act of driving as long as they are using their cell phones.

IV. Texting while driving

Texting while driving is yet another major issue concerning cell phones and driving, as it involves the driver paying less interest to driving than he or she would if he or she were talking. "Congress is considering legislation that would create federal funding incentives for states to implement texting-while driving bans, although a bill with this provision has yet to advance to a full vote in either chamber" (Texas cities move to ban texting while driving).

V. Conclusion

The contemporary society is reluctant to accept that even though cell phones are an essential part of people's lives, it is very dangerous to use them while driving. In their struggle to stay connected to their families and friends or with their business partners, individuals fail to understand the critical condition they are in when they are using their cell phones while driving. Lives are at stake and it is essential for governments from around the world to issue laws that would ban the use of cell phones while driving.

Works cited:

Fleming, Susan, "Teen Driver Safety: Additional Research Could Help States Strengthen Graduated Driver Licensing Systems," (DIANE Publishing, 2010)

Lissy, Karen S., Cohen, Joshua T., Park, Mary Y., and Graham, John D., "Cellular Phone Use While Driving: Risks and Benefits," Retrieved March 20, 2013, from the Cellphone-Free Driving Website: http://cellphonefreedriving.ca/media/harvard.pdf

OECD, "IRTAD Road Safety Annual Report 2009," (OECD Publishing, 16.08.2010)

Plotnik, Rod, and Kouyoumjian, Haig, "Introduction to Psychology," (Cengage Learning, 19.03.2010)

"Texas cities move to ban texting while driving," Retrieved March 20, 2013, from the House Research Organization Website: http://www.hro.house.state.tx.us/pdf/focus/texting82-8.pdf