Car accidents appear to have been on the rise in the past two decades. First, it was a matter of drunken driving before the introduction of cell phones. Following an intense period of campaigns concerning drunk driving and law enforcement, the rates of car accidents resulting from drunk driving reduced significantly. Nevertheless, the number of accidents caused as a result of using cellphones have taken the toll with over 50, 000 deaths being reported every year in the United States. The use of cell phones while driving causes leads to accidents when the driver is distracted since there is little left to multitasking (Sturnquist 11).
It is impossible to pay full attention to the wheel when a driver is texting, receiving a call or even taking photos at the same time they are driving. The trend is more common among teenagers and continues to gain popularity among the older generations that find it harmless due to modern car technology. Automated mechanisms allow one to drive their car smoothly for a particular span of time during which they may be distracted. However, more than often, the vehicle may spin out of control. Others assume their proper knowledge of roads to be sufficient for any situations. This essay aims to look into the problem of using phones while driving and the solution that serves best for this problem. In this case, educating drivers on the dangers of using phones while driving is the most amicable solution for several reasons outlined (Teigen 21).
Firstly, educating drivers is creating awareness and emphasizing the importance of good driving. The various ways in which phones are used during driving evolve every day, and there is a need to address the most current trend. In the twentieth century, phones were mostly used to receive and make calls and later on to text.
The distraction arising from using a phone is not only in paying attention but also being emotionally provoked by the person on the other end of the line. Recent trends also indicate that drivers of the twenty-first century engage a great deal in taking photos when driving. These drivers know well the dangers of driving while using their phones, however, they are still unable to cease from the habit. To the young people, this is a harmless act and furthermore, people see interesting things on the road all the time. It is, therefore, important to note that a formal address the problem on education and awareness creation could be the one way through which the problem is solved.
Through the involvement of officers of the law, the school syllabus, and billboards, it is possible to create constant awareness of the situation therefore encouraging drivers to leave their bad habits (Kristie Young 33).
Secondly, educating the youth and drivers on the use of phones while driving encourages knowledge of the law. It helps drivers to understand the extent to which the law prevails and the consequences involved in the event of arrest. Thirdly, educating drivers on the importance of avoiding phone distraction during driving allows them to realize that they are cared for. It is a way of applying emotional appeal to influence people to work together in reducing road accidents. Most educational processes can be done through the media in advertisements, in the papers and conferences. Moreover, police officers may take advantage of the few minutes they pull over a car to caution drivers about the use of phones while driving. In this manner, they allow the driver to remember his or her safety and put themselves first (Kristie Young 45).
Educating the public is also the best approach since learned things usually come off in other conversations. In a case where a mother is driving with her children, she is likely to teach them the dangers of driving while on the phone. The passing of information from one person to the next is an important thing attributed to education. Moreover, teaching of the same in schools is important as an emphasis in order to give weight to the matter. At the end of the day, road accidents resulting from distraction by phones appears to decline considerably in the United States. It is also important to teach the public the effects of using phones while driving in details. It means making it clear that whether hands on or not, using phones could lead to an accident since it firstly distracts the mind. Moreover, the educators should insist on disciplining oneself enough to pick calls and to text only when one is parked (Teigen 78).
Works Cited
Kristie Young, John D. Lee, Michael A. Regan. Driver Distraction: Theory, Effects, and Mitigation. New York: CRC Press, 2008. Print.
Sturnquist, Daniel M. Mobile Phones and Driving. New York: Nova Publishers, 2007. Print.
Teigen, Anne. Texting While Driving Could Spell D-A-N-G-E-R. Chicago: National Conference of State Legislatures, 2009. Print.
