Jfk Rhetorical Analysis Essay

Running Head: CELLPHONE USE WHILE DRIVING 1

An Assessment of
Cellphone Use While Driving
Octasia Gore
ENG 137
Ms. Smalls
February 18,2013

Cellphone Use While Driving 2

Did you know about 80% of drivers use their cellphones while driving? Talking on the phone could be dangerous to other drivers and pedestrians. Drivers are constantly on the phone talking, texting, or surfing the internet. Drivers should have limited use to cellphones while driving to decrease collisions due to major distractions. However, cellphones are still needed in case of emergencies.
Too much cellphone use while driving causes distractions. Cellphones add to the many other distractions on the road. Each year more people are killed in crashes involving a distracted driver. The accidents could be deadly and very dangerous. For example, a woman lost her left arm in a crash. She was looking down at her phone instead of paying attention to the road. She had lost control of the vehicle and got seriously injured. While traveling on the highway some people do not watch for signs and accidentally make a wrong turn. This could cause many collisions because drivers are having deep conversations and forget where they are going. Accidents can put your life in danger.
Texting while driving is more common among young drivers. About 60% of teens get distracted when they text(Ahlers,2011). Teenagers are more focused on what is being said in the text message than on the road. This could be very risky to novice drivers. If people are traveling in rush hour traffic, then all eyes should be on the road. Something bad could happen by just looking down at a text message. Texting while driving is more risky at night. Traveling on dark roads might cause the driver to hit a deer and damage the vehicle. Almost 50% of all drivers between ages 18-24 text while driving (Ahlers,2011).
Cellphones should be limited while driving, but are still needed for emergencies.
If the driver is traveling alone and get lost in the middle of nowhere, the cellphone is needed to call for help to get directions. Cellphones are always good to have with you so parents can check on you, especially when you are far away from home. What if you get sick? What if your car breaks down in the street? What if your car gets a flat tire or runs out of gas? What if you forget something important when you leave from home? Sometimes cellphones are important to have by your side while driving. Today, more drivers are using hands-free devices such as an earpiece. Some vehicles have phones installed in the system. With an earpiece, drivers do not have to look down at their cellphones. They can focus on the road while having a conversation with someone.
Drivers should have limited cellphone use because it is not safe to be on the phone while driving. This could be harmful to the passengers, other drivers, and even put yourself in danger. Drivers do not have complete control of the wheel which may cause collisions. Many people have died due to texting and talking on the phone while behind the wheel. Cellphones cause many distractions. In my opinion, I feel that the government should not completely ban cellphones while driving because they are useful for emergencies. Drivers need to know when is the right time to use their cellphones. Although cellphones are dangerous and risky, there are a few good benefits. Cellular devices can save your life or end it.