Contributing post by Chrystal Dorsey
Driver distractions caused by cellular phone usage has become increasingly important as cell phone use becomes more prevalent in daily life. Some people are torn on where they stand, because both sides can easily be favorably argued. There are countless studies citing reasons for banning cell phone usage including, a University of Utah study that shows conversing on cell phones while driving disrupts the driver's attention to the visual environment, or the inability to recognize objects encountered in the driver's visual field. Additionally they state that cell phone conversations create much higher levels of driver distractions than listening to the radio or audio books. Clearly they’ve not studied the numerous motorists who engage in vehicular-dancing while listening to the latest Rock n' Roll or R&B release kicking through their stereo system. There are drivers that periodically give a live concert whenever they hear a song with a serious beat -We've all seen them, their head and arms are so animated you wonder who's actually steering the vehicle. In all honesty, how can you not bob your head when Beyonce's "Ring the Alarm" or Pink's "So What" blares through the speakers? Nevertheless, vehicular-dancing while listening to the car stereo is also a distraction. Ooops, dare we let that cat out of the bag, they just may decide to ban radios from vehicles.
Admittedly, there are some hazards to cell phone usage during the operation of a motor vehicle, especially texting which requires you to visually focus on the phone's keyboard, instead of on the road, where the driver's focus belongs. But despite all the cons against, there are some pros as cell phones have become a valuable tool in conducting business as more employees are using them to perform their jobs. Among other things, they help boost productivity by keeping employees connected to the office and to clients; not to mention the invaluable use during road side emergencies. Let us not forget there are very few if any, public phones available especially on highways and local freeways. The point being, there can be safe, sensible, responsible use for a cell phone for a brief period of time. Short comments "I've run out of gas" or "I'm on my way."; not long lengthy or heated discussions. And Just as there is an appropriate time, there is an inappropriate time to use a cell phone in the car, as in, heavy traffic, bad weather and stressful conversations for examples. The major distracting menace when it comes to cell phone usage is texting; no one should be texting while operating a motor vehicle, it’s a serious and potentially deadly hazard. Therefore, it would be prudent to ban that particular function, not talking. Geez! How uncoordinated must you be not to be able to steer a vehicle and speak at the same time. Of course one would argue that there are a number of individuals who can’t manage to do so, but the majority of those individuals should not be driving under any circumstances. If your motor skills are in general operational order, you shouldn't have any difficulty uttering a few short words on a cell phone. Besides, there are hands-free devices readily available for every cell phone on the market.
According to studies conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), some form of driver distraction is a contributing factor in 20 to 30 percent of all crashes. Numbers such as these are enough to lean toward the side of banning cell phones while driving. However, some data tells a different story, a much more comprehensive University of North Carolina study found that cell-phone use was responsible for only 1.5 percent of distracted driving accidents - completely contrary to popular belief. And a Harvard study gauge accidents caused by cell phones at 6 percent of the total. Much larger risks were outside events, other occupants in the vehicle and drivers adjusting radio and CD players. Therefore, most people, especially cell phone providers urge against jumping into cell-phone bans without careful consideration of the entire picture. Merely talking on a cell phone doesn't necessarily mean the phone contributed to an accident. Distracted driving is responsible for many accidents. But honest statistics imply that cell-phone use in vehicles accounts for only a very small percentage of those accidents, and that most drivers use handheld cell phones safely while driving.
Cell phones are being unfairly singled out from a raft of other potential distractions that could affect safety.
There is no way to eliminate all driving distractions, but if they wish to ban some of the causes let’s not stop at cell phone use. There are a number of distractions or unsafe actions that drivers should restrain from doing; including reading newspapers or books, putting on make-up, especially eye make-up; shaving; eating; searching for items on the seat or floor; watching television or movies and more. Common sense should factor into one’s actions while operating a motor vehicle. And of course, any action that impedes a driver’s performance should be met with consequences during the initial offense, not, and only after a life has been taken.
Undoubtedly, one of the biggest hazards on the road, second to the most dangerous of all offenders – the drunk drivers, are drivers who keep their pets on their laps and allow them to protrude from the driver's side window while the vehicle is in operation. Not only does it put the animal at risk of falling out of a moving vehicle, it is a serious driver distraction. Odd as it may seem to other motorists whose life is being jeopardized by this risky action, this driving activity is not illegal! Nor will a police officer arrest you if you can't bear to part with your precious four-legged canine or feline during your driving escapades. However, in most states if your pet causes you to drive in an unsafe manner you could be cited under the state's Negligent Driving law for endangering people or property. Undeniably, a loose pet is a greater hazard than speaking on a cell phone and there should be a ban on driving with pets running rapid in the vehicle, or sitting on the driver's lap. There have been countless times when driver's have been spotted wrestling to gain control over a moving pet seated on their lap. Not only is the driver's sight impaired, but they lose the ability to maintain control over the vehicle, because their hands are full trying to restrain the animal. Nothing personal against pets, but seriously, it's better for all concerned if pets were left at home, transported via a carrier, or merely placed in some sort of pet restraint in the back seat.
Perhaps educating and training drivers on a regular routine basis would be a more logical method for reducing accidents involving motor vehicles.
Banning cell phones may not be the solution, perhaps banning inapt drivers would be more beneficial. Some drivers are just plain ignorant to the rules of the road and cause havoc wherever they go and they do so without the use of a cell phone. They simply can not drive. Our efforts shouldn't be toward banning particular activities, be it cell-phone use, eating, or other common behaviors. Rather, we should be enforcing laws against the real problem, distracted and/or unskilled driving in general.
Frankly, there are far too many drivers who have no business behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, because they honestly just can’t drive. There are individuals who’ve never had a driver’s education course or any structured training, yet they managed to obtain an operator’s license; there are individuals who can’t even manage to steer a golf cart without causing or encountering problems, yet these individuals are issued a valid driver’s license, though their skills are anything but valid. Let’s face it, road menaces are all around us and surprisingly a great deal of them aren’t banishing a notorious cell phone.
Perhaps it’s not the use of cell phones that is the issue, perhaps the main reason lies with the number of inapt drivers on our road ways; one method to reduce accidents may be to reduce the number of inexperience drivers by increasing the road skills requirements. A fool-proof method may not exist that will eliminate the number of unsuitable drivers, but perhaps they could start by implementing mandatory driver’s education classes for all first time drivers regardless of age and 30 days of practice should be a part of the course. Additionally, to ensure drivers continue to operate under the state guidelines, perhaps licensed drivers should also be required to pass a road test at the time of each license renewal.
Finally, the way I see it, if anyone has the need to use a cell phone while in their car, the following simple safety tips may help:
- Use a hands-free phone.
- Never compose text messages while driving.
- Always dial while the car isn't moving.
- Never use the phone in heavy traffic or bad weather.
- Use speed dialing as much as possible.
- Never look up phone numbers while driving.
- Never have stressful conversations while driving.
- Keep your eyes on the road while on the phone.
- STOP TXTING WHL DRVG IT SHUD B ILGL
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