Texting While Driving

Abstract

The use of cell phone while driving is a global issue. Every country in the world is facing this issue, as it is the cause of car crashes, injuries and deaths. Due to increasing use of cell phones, the frequency of cell phone-related crashes is also increased. In United States, this has become a serious issue, as it is causing thousands and millions of deaths every year. In the United States, various traffic agencies and government have taken action to deal with this issue on nationwide level. The paper describes about the prevalence of cell phone use in United States, its associated crashes and fatalities. It describes how its use while driving cause's distraction and affect driver's performance. It explains how different types of cell phones affect differently the human brain. It explains about its legal aspects. It also explains the recommendations which should be implemented to deal with this issue on nationwide level.

Texting While Driving

Introduction

Mobile phones were come into the U.S. market in 1980s, and since then there is dramatic increase in its growth. In the past few years, in the U.S. mobile phone subscription has increased 17-fold and it has become the fastest growing business industry in the U.S. Mobile phone usage has increased in American families and businesses men. Although, mobile phones are used in many situations, it is a useful technology to communicate people. The cellular phone is also used while driving (National Safety Council, 2010). The issues that have been raised that by using cell phone while driving causes the chances of traffic collisions, injuries, and deaths. Various groups, such as transportation safety and wireless communications groups have started educational campaigns about the safety issues regarding the use of mobile phones while driving.

These issues have led various policymakers to make laws regarding the cell phone usage while driving, whether it should be allowed or prohibited. The use of handheld phones, have been banned in some countries. Many U.S. states are now restricting the use of cell phones while driving. The aim of this paper is to determine what are the risks and benefits associated with usage of a cell phone while driving. It includes public policy relevant to issues of cell phone usage while driving (National Safety Council, 2011). However, it is difficult for policymakers to ban cell phone usage while driving, as the effectiveness of saving lives by banning cell phone usage does not appear to be very practical and effective as other safety measures. The scientific evidences and policy discussion can help in making an effective strategy in this field.

Discussion

In 2010, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) presented a data on distracted driving deaths for 2009. The NHTSA argued about distracted driving and included the following factors as distractions: other passengers in the car, drinking, radio adjusting, eating, concerning about environmental control, smoking, searching for objects, and talking or texting on cell phone. In 2009, there were 5,474 people died by these distracted ...