The restriction on the use of cell phones while driving has many advantages. The most significant advantage is the reduction of the number of road accidents. However, this restriction also comes with a couple of disadvantages. These disadvantages cat as an opposing force to the hugely recognizable benefits of restricting cell phone use while driving.
The first disadvantage is that the restriction of cell phone use while driving jeopardizes crucial communication between people that is instrumental to a variety of things. Restricting the use of cell phones while driving reduces the total amount of communication taking place between people and diminishes the chance of relaying crucial information to others (Lissy, 2000). For example, the use of cell phone s on the road can enhance safety in several situations. A driver can quickly place a call to law enforcement through his cell phone when he comes across an accident or another notable event where stopping may be unsafe. A cell phone can also come in handy in dire weather conditions such as stormy weathers where one may need to communicate to ask for help in terms of direction. In addition, one driver ahead of another in traffic can relay information to another driver using a cell phone about important events taking place, such as an accident or a slippery patch on the road. These uses of the cell phone on the roads signify one thing. Restricting the use of the cell phone while driving will act as a detriment to the transfer of important information on the roads; information that may actually save people’s lives. Obviously, this is a big disadvantage may prompt state authorities to reconsider their decisions regarding the restriction of cell phone use while driving (Nikolaev, Robbins and Jacobson, 2010).
The other major disadvantage of restricting cell phone use is related to economics. Many people in this country are constantly on the road as part of their daily schedules. In fact, some people jobs entirely comprise traveling back and forth from one place to another. For instance, real estate agents are on constantly on the move to show their clients new properties. Other agents are also always on the road looking to represent their client’s interest. Such people need to keep in touch with their clients while on their roads and the only way to do this is through the use of the cell phone Restricting cell phone use in such a situation means that the agents are unable to communicate with their clients and crucial economic transactions do not occur. Such small transactions form an important part of the national economy. When they fail to happen, the economy is inadvertently affected. People who use the cell phone while on travel may view the device as not useful any more due to the restrictions and may abandon it altogether (Cohen and Graham, 2003). This could means losses for mobile phone networks as well as the manufacturers of the cell phone devices. One again this will have a negative effect on the overall economy of the country.
As observed, the restriction of cell phone use has both economic and social implications. Restrictions on the use of cell phones on the roads act as an impediment to the transfer of data and information that may actually save people lives. In addition, the same restriction has economic consequences, as explained above. Perhaps the best thing to do would be to be to find a compromise between the advantages and the disadvantages such that a balance is achieved. One potential solution is the introduction of hand-free phones, as mentioned previously, that drivers can easily communicate with without the need to take their eyes of the road or lose their focus (Nikolaev, Robbins and Jacobson, 2010). This will eliminate the need for the complete ban of cell phone use on the roads. Below is a visual of such a hands-free device that could solve a lot of the cell phone and driving related problems.
References
Cohen, J. T., & Graham, J. D. (2003). A Revised Economic Analysis of Restrictions on the Use of Cell Phones While Driving. Risk Analysis, 23(1), 5-17.
Lissy, K. (2000). Cellular Phone Use While Driving: Risks and Benefits. Boston, Mass: Harvard Center for Risk Analysis, Harvard School of Public Health.
Nikolaev, A. G., Robbins, M. J., & Jacobson, S. H. (2010). Evaluating the impact of legislation prohibiting hand-held cell phone use while driving. Transportation Research Part A-policy and Practice, 13(4), 45-56.
