Driving is a difficult job which requires complete concentration from the driver. Therefore, the driver must not get distracted, and should remain attentive regarding the roads while driving. One of the distractions which have become very common is texting while driving. The main issue during texting is that it engages the driver’s attention from the road hence, results in an accident. Since, it is quite necessary to keep an eye on the road.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an accident is six times more likely to be caused due to texting while driving as compared to drunk driving. Furthermore, approximately 2,600 deaths and injuries up to 330,000 are recorded in car crashes every year due to texting and driving by the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society. Many believed that such a number is the result of drunk driving whereas, the consequences of texting and driving are ignored. According to the opinion of few people, accidents are majorly caused by the teenagers as they are more indulged in texting activities. On the contrary, adults are also found of committing this attitude which leads to loss of assets or lives (Kemper & Mayer, 2012).
People are aware regarding the severe outcomes of texting on phones while driving o the road. However, they still get involved in such activities. People are in the habit to initiate texting, replying, or reading the text messages. On the other hand, some of the young adult drivers have an opinion that the risk in initiating text messages is lower than replying or reading since, texting commence after perceiving a safer road (Atchley, et al., 2011). However, this does not reduce the danger for an accident as the heavy vehicles can emerge and are not able to stop all of a sudden. Eventually, a car crash is most likely to happen. Similarly, people intentionally begin texting while driving on the road with slow flow of traffic since, it is time-saving to the text in such situations. Moreover, in this way they can share the quick information with others. Hence, people ignore the circumstances which may be raised due to texting (Gauld, et al., 2014). In addition to this, young people are even found texting while switching the traffic lanes. Also, they continue texting while driving when they are accompanied by the passengers as well, and without keeping in consideration the damage that might occur (Harrison, 2011).
Texting along with driving distracts the driver as the transfer of vision towards the device, inadequate detection of any stimulus given by other vehicle, and shifting to another lane. Ultimately, the lack of concentration leads to insufficient time to react for a sudden emergence of a crucial situation. Hence, results in a massive accident. In addition to this, texting hampers the ability of the driver to retain the attention towards the roadway, maintain the speed and position of the vehicle within a lane, and makes the driver unable to react against any particular traffic condition. Eventually, the outcomes are the increase in a number of accident cases.
In order to minimize the incidents of elevating accidental cases, a strict ban against the use of cell phones while driving should be subjected. The rule of the ban should be imposed in all states and followed strictly. In this way, the increase in accidents due to texting while driving may be halted.
Works Cited
Atchley, Paul, Stephanie Atwood, and Aaron Boulton. The choice to text and drive in younger drivers: Behavior may shape attitude. Accident Analysis & Prevention 43.1 (2011): pp.134-142. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001457510002095 on 8th December 2014.
Gauld, Cassandra S., Ioni Lewis, and Katherine M. White. Concealed texting while driving: What are young people’s beliefs about this risky behavior? Safety science 65 (2014): pp. 63-69. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925753514000022 on 8th December 2014.
Harrison, Marissa A. College students’ prevalence and perceptions of text messaging while driving. Accident Analysis & Prevention 43.4 (2011): pp. 1516-1520. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0001457511000546on 8th December 2014.
Kemper, Dave, Mayer, Verne. Fusion: Integrated Reading and Writing. Cengage Learning, 2012. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/gp/search?index=books&linkCode=qs&keywords=9781133312154 on 8th December 2014.
