No Call or Text Is Worth a Life
Kyle Warren
AC0538219
SP 180.0.2 Principles of Public Speaking
Assignment 7_07 Written Speech
4/5/2013
No Call or Text is Worth a Life
Using a handheld cell phone could be one of the deadliest decisions you could make while operating a motor vehicle. The dangers and impact of using a cell phone while behind the wheel are numerous. One of the main reasons people still use their cell phones while driving is that there is no consistency in the laws across the country. Certain states have legislation that bans cell phone use, while other states only ban certain usage situations. Tough federal legislation is the only way to decrease the use of handheld cell phones while driving. The tougher the laws are, the less likely people will be to use their cell phones in non emergent situations, therefore decreasing accident rates and fatalities throughout the United States. Handheld cell phone use is very dangerous because it is a huge distraction to the driver of a motor vehicle. Even “hands free” systems, like Bluetooth headsets, are distracting while behind the wheel, even though they keep the drivers hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Holding a conversation uses a cognitive strain that makes it harder for some people’s brains to stay focused on the task at hand, for instance driving safely. (Jaffe, 2013). According to the data reported by the National Traffic Safety Administration, the National Safety Council estimated that annually 28% of motor vehicle accidents in the country can be attributed to the driver using a handheld cell phone. Distracted driving caused 387,000 reported vehicle accidents in 2011 which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration links the primary cause to the use of cell phones. (“Ban on Hand-held Cell Phones not Likely to Make Drivers Safer,” 2013). If you visit the National Safety Council’s website, there is a ticker at the top that updates about every 24 seconds that shows the number of crashes so far in the year that are
AC0538219
SP 180.0.2 Principles of Public Speaking
Assignment 7_07 Written Speech
4/5/2013
No Call or Text is Worth a Life
Using a handheld cell phone could be one of the deadliest decisions you could make while operating a motor vehicle. The dangers and impact of using a cell phone while behind the wheel are numerous. One of the main reasons people still use their cell phones while driving is that there is no consistency in the laws across the country. Certain states have legislation that bans cell phone use, while other states only ban certain usage situations. Tough federal legislation is the only way to decrease the use of handheld cell phones while driving. The tougher the laws are, the less likely people will be to use their cell phones in non emergent situations, therefore decreasing accident rates and fatalities throughout the United States. Handheld cell phone use is very dangerous because it is a huge distraction to the driver of a motor vehicle. Even “hands free” systems, like Bluetooth headsets, are distracting while behind the wheel, even though they keep the drivers hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. Holding a conversation uses a cognitive strain that makes it harder for some people’s brains to stay focused on the task at hand, for instance driving safely. (Jaffe, 2013). According to the data reported by the National Traffic Safety Administration, the National Safety Council estimated that annually 28% of motor vehicle accidents in the country can be attributed to the driver using a handheld cell phone. Distracted driving caused 387,000 reported vehicle accidents in 2011 which the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration links the primary cause to the use of cell phones. (“Ban on Hand-held Cell Phones not Likely to Make Drivers Safer,” 2013). If you visit the National Safety Council’s website, there is a ticker at the top that updates about every 24 seconds that shows the number of crashes so far in the year that are
References: Ban on Hand-held Cellphones not Likely to Make Drivers Safer- Opinion- Bangor Daily News- BDN Maine. (2013, February 20). Maine News, Sports, Politics and Obituaries- Bangor daily News- BDN Maine. Retrieved March 29, 2013, from http://bangordailynews.com/2013/02/20/opinion/editorials/ban-on-hand-held-cellphones-not-likely-to-make-drivers-safer/ . Cellular Phone Use and Texting While Driving Laws. (n.d.) NCSL Home. Retrieved March 29, 2013, from http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/transport/cellular-phone-use-and-texting-while-driving-laws.aspx. Distracted Driving Laws. (2013, March). Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). Retrieved March 29, 2013, from http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html. Distracted Driving Research & Statistics - National Safety Council. (2013). National Safety Council. Retrieved March 29, 2013, from http://www.nsc.org/safety_road/Distracted_Driving/Pages/DistractedDrivingResearchandStatistics.aspx. Hanson, D. (n.d.) Alcohol Problems and Solutions. Driving While Using Cell Phones as Dangerous as Driving While Drunk. Retrieved March 29, 2013, from http://www2.potsdam.edu/hansondj/files/Driving-While-Using-Cell-Phone-as-Dangerous-as-Driving-While-Drunk.html. Jaffe, E. (2013, March 27). Do Texting Bans Really Prevent Fatal Accidents?- Eric Jaffe- The Atlantic Cities. The Atlantic Cities. Retrieved March 29, 2013, from http://www.theatlanticcities.com/commute/2013/03/do-texting-bans-really-prevent-fatal-accidents/5104/. Neuman, S. (2011, December 14). Experts Question Need for Stronger Cellphone Ban : NPR. NPR: National Public Radio : News & Analysis, World, US, Music & Arts : NPR. Retrieved March 29, 2013, from http://www.npr.org/2011/12/14/143727686/experts-question-need-for-stronger-cellphone-ban .