Why banning the use of cell phones while driving should be mandatory nationwide
It goes without saying that cell phones have become an integral part of our lives and contributed so much in improving the lives Americans through communication. It has made people more accessible and increased the speed of business. However, there seems to be a worrying trend where by more and more accidents are being caused as a result of people using their cell phones while driving.
The national Transit Safety board in 20011 had called for a complete ban on the use of cell phones while driving. This was later opposed by the US secretary of transport saying that he issues of cell phones contributed to an insignificant figure when it comes to road accidents (Sturnquist, 2006). However, it is becoming evident each day that the use us cell phones need to be banned country wide due to the reasons to be discussed in this paper.
Let us briefly understand US laws on using cell phones while driving. Law broadly classifies into hand-held cell phone use, all cell phone use and text messaging. Hand-held cell phone use: Some states prohibit handling the cell phone device while driving. Drivers are allowed to use Bluetooth, hands free or phones can be connected to the audio system of the vehicle.
All cell phone use: Some US states prohibits any use of cell phone while driving
Text messaging: Some US states also have laws on text messaging while driving.
US states also have crash data and analysis the causes of the crash. Please find data of the US laws of using cell phones while driving:
As per U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) research released in September 2010 states 5474 people were killing in 2009 due to distracted driving. Distractions can be caused by other occupants in car, eating, drinking, smoking, adjusting radio, adjusting environment control, reaching to object in car, cell phone use.
Out of 5474 casualties caused 995 were caused by driver’s distraction by use of cell phone. However the report doesn’t give the level of cell phone usage. There are three main distractions while using cell phones:
- Driver takes eyes off the road
- Driver takes eyes off hands from steering wheel
- Driver takes eyes off mind from the task at hand
The combination of all the above three factors is a definite recipe for road accidents.
Some studies have found that dialing a number or taking a call distracts drivers more. Others suggest that the content of conversation leads to distraction level. If the conversation is emotionally charged it is prone to higher risk. Some research has also found that using hands free or Bluetooth is also not safe as drivers spend time in fiddling the ear piece, finding the headset and adjusting volume.
Research shows that drivers who use their cell phones while driving would take their eyes off the road 5 out of every 6 seconds on average. This would mean that if a vehicle is driving at an average speed of 55 miles per hour, then the driver would be driving almost the length of a football field without looking at the road (Cain & Burris, 2000). It is also proved that drivers using cell phones drastically reduce their ability to read road signs and adhere to traffic signals. It just doesn’t cause a threat to own life but also to others using the roads. It is crucial that there be appropriate levels of control on mobile activities and issues like gaining information form a switched off phone as well as locating and tracing a phone call are resolved. This can help in the process of better investigation and gaining access to information about crimes in a better and faster manner.
Drivers can obey traffic rules while using cell phones by taking measures which includes keeping cell phone operable by the driver while restrained by properly adjusted safety belts, always utilizing an earpiece or the speaker phone function and using voice-activated or one-button touch features to initiate, answer, or terminate a call.
Citing the risk in using cell phones while driving government needs to impose a country wide ban on use of cell phones. Accidents due to use of cell phones are on the rise. Today majority of people are using smart phones and are also distracted by using smart phone applications. Use of cell phones is a time bomb ticking will lead to higher risk of accidents and traffic violations. Transport authorities and regulators need to realize the risk and take action for imposing a ban on the use of cell phone and also implementation of the law.
References
Cain, A., Burris, M., & University of South Florida. (2000). Investigation of the use of mobile phones while driving. Collingdale, Pa: DIANE Publ., Co.
Claire Laberge-Nadeau, et al. (2006). Crash Risk and Cell Phone Use: Important Questions on the Real Risk for Legal Decision Makers.
Claire Laberge-Nadeau (2005). Linking data from different sources to estimate the risk of a collision when using a cell phone while driving
Jane C. Stutts, et al. (2001). The role of driver distraction in traffic crashes
