The strategic triangle
- The strategy must be substantively viable in that the organization produces things to overseers, clients, and beneficiaries at a lower cost in terms of money and authority
This means that in order to efficiently implement the policies effectively the legislative body must consider the cost of the implementationof the said policies (Kenichi, 1991). Further, a consideration as to the mischief that the policies are supposed to cure must be at the very core of the proposed policies.As such, a more cost-effective and greatly beneficial approach to the said policies should be adaptedto the benefit of all and sundry. Accordingly, an approach which shall result in the greater good as opposed to an approach that would result in the benefit of a few people would be the most practicable.
It is trite that the use of cell phone while driving is dangerous not only to the driver but also to other road users and the society as well (Rosenbloom, 2006). Given the availability and ease of access to cell phones it is safe to say almost everyone has access to a cellular phone. In deed majority of people access cell phones before learning how to drive or driving itself (Charlton, 2009). Therefore, a strategy to reduce use of cell phone while driving should involve every person capable of using a mobile phone. Accordingly, such involvement should start at the earliest possible stages of human life (Drews, 2008).
In this regard, the State should embark on creating public awareness and sensitization programs on the dangers of cell phone use while driving. Majority of these programs should be directed towards the people of the age bracket of 14 and32 years. This is because majority of people between these ages use cell phones habitually hence they are more than likely to use their cell phones while driving (Horrey, 2006). In addition, children under the age of sixteen years should be made aware of the dangers that cell phones pose while driving so that as they grow they become well aware of the possible implications. These programs should be run in institutions that impart driving skills and the same should be extended to include the pedestrians. Specifically, pedestrians should be educated regarding the use of their cell phones while walking along or closing the road.
- The strategy must be legitimate and politically sustainable
A viable strategy would be one that is universally acceptable by the target group and one that has an element of continuity. This means that the policy must be implementable today and capable of fulfilling any future expectations. In other words a proper strategy must be able to withstand any foreseeable and unforeseeable challenges.The strategy for the implementation of the policy must ensure differentiation is done through different that the target audience is able to yield the required results (Strayer, 2003). The strategy must also be implementable to the section of the public that the strategy is directed.
In order to come up with a legitimate policy, it is not only imperative to ensure that it is within the ambits of the law, but also to involve all stakeholders in crafting it. This ensures a general acceptance by the public, which goes a long way in lending legitimacy among the people. The State should bear in mind that such involvement is not always easy as different stakeholders will have different views, even sometimes conflicting ones. However, the most important thing is that a general consensus is reached on key issues.
Another strategy would be adopting of policies that are aimed at instilling discipline among mobile phone users, creating laws to enforce and implement such policies consistently and uniformly. Such policy frameworks have been successful in dealing with issues such as drunk driving, use of safety belts, and speeding. It is possible to realize positive results through the use of sector-specific legislation regarding the use of mobile phones while driving (McEvoy, 2005).
Uniformity and consistency in this regard means that the law should be applied across the board irrespective of the age, race, status, or origin. Any person driving in the public roads should be subjected to the same laws not withstanding their state of origin. Homogeneity and constancy also means that gadgets that cause vulnerabilities posed by cell phones such as hands free cell phones and wireless communication devices should be treated like cell phones.
Consequently, repeat offenders should be subjected to more severe punishments than first time offenders. In this regard, the legislative agencies should consider introducing provisions on suspension and cancellation of driving licenses for repeat offenders. Such penalties should be imposed irrespective of whether the use of the cell phone resulted to actual harm (Strayer, 2003).
- The strategy must be operationally and administratively feasible in that the authorized and valuable activities can be accomplished
The policies must be capable of being implemented by the implementation machinery. If the strategy cannot be implemented then it would be a waste of time and a resource as far as the implementing agency is concerned. While adapting a proper strategy to use the state must ensure that the strategy aims to maximize the strengths in order to achieve considerable success within the society. A property considered approach would be capable of improving the averagefunctionality of the program. This would ensure that the strategy is able to cope with the demand variations.The cost-effectiveness of the approachmay also take several approaches such as lowering the basic cost of implementationby ensuring greater selectivity with regard to the adopted approach and sharing certain basic functions with other states with like strategies (Kenichi, 1991).
References
Charlton, G. (2009). Driving while conversing: Cell phones that distract and passengers who
react. AccidentAnalysis& Prevention. Volume 41(1), P. 160-173.
Drews, A, Pasupathi, M., &Strayer, L. (2008). Passenger and cell phone conversations in
simulated driving.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 14 (4), 392-400.
Horrey, J., &Wickens, D. (2006). Examining the impact of cell phone conversations on
driving usingmeta-analytic techniques. Human Factors, 48 (1), 196-205.
Kenichi Ohmae (1991).The Mind ofthe Strategist: The Art of Japanese Business.McGraw-Hill.
McEvoy, P., Stevenson, M., McCartt, T., Woodward, M., Haworth, C., Palamara, P., &
Cercarelli, R. (2005). Role of mobile phones in motor vehicle crashes resulting in hospital attendance: a case-crossover study. BMJ, 331 (7514), 428.
Rosenbloom, T. (2006).Driving performance while using cell phones: an observational study.
Strayer, L., Drew, A., & Johnston, A. (2003). Cell-phone induced failures of visual attention
during simulated driving. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, 9, (1) 23-32.
Strayer, L., Drews, A., & Johnston, A. (2003).Inattention-blindness behind the wheel.Journal of
Vision, 3 (9), 157a.
