Angela Phelps
Janna Carter Parsons
College Writing I
19 October 2016
The Evolution of Distracted Driving Along with the invention of hand held electronic devices, GPS, and in vehicle entertainment systems, comes the obvious side effect of distraction. The term “distracted driving” was not part of our vocabulary even ten years ago. Recently, however, we have come to realize that distractions while operating a vehicle, such as: eating and drinking, perfecting a play list, and using our cell phones for texting or talking; are killing people in astounding numbers. In the interest of saving lives, we need to be vigilant in informing the public of the dangers these distractions pose. It is also critical, that society, advocate for the passing …show more content…
With the prevailing use of cell phones and other handheld electronic devices, the incidents of fatalities caused by distracted driving, began to steadily increase. This rise in distraction caused death rates, and the steep incline in cell phone use, solicited more research into the correlation between the two. PhD holders from the School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Fernando A. Wilson, and Jim Stimpson, point out that “[they] were the first to examine and empirically test the relations between national trends in road fatalities, cell phone subscriber rates, and estimated text message volumes” (2216). This statement brings to light the limited research that had been done on this subject as recently as …show more content…
It would seem that if something has a strong possibility of resulting in death, people would avoid that particular activity, however, research shows that is not the case in this instance. There has been some exploration done on this topic with some interesting findings. The National Phone Survey on Distracted Driving indicates that nearly everyone surveyed felt that texting did not affect their driving abilities. These same people, however thought it was unsafe for others to do so (qtd.in J. J. Bernstein and J. Bernstein 4). We tend to overestimate our own abilities, but easily see the dangers where other people are concerned. People may also be more apt to use their phone when driving alone, perhaps from boredom, or a need for human connection. Young people, especially, see themselves as invincible, and have the attitude that bad things will not happen to them. There is very little stigma placed on texting and driving, which may make it seem more acceptable, unlike drunk driving which is regarded as taboo in our culture. Several years ago, drunk driving was also considered acceptable and normal, but with activists and media getting information to the public, and law makers getting involved, it has become an intolerabl practice. The culture we have, that
Janna Carter Parsons
College Writing I
19 October 2016
The Evolution of Distracted Driving Along with the invention of hand held electronic devices, GPS, and in vehicle entertainment systems, comes the obvious side effect of distraction. The term “distracted driving” was not part of our vocabulary even ten years ago. Recently, however, we have come to realize that distractions while operating a vehicle, such as: eating and drinking, perfecting a play list, and using our cell phones for texting or talking; are killing people in astounding numbers. In the interest of saving lives, we need to be vigilant in informing the public of the dangers these distractions pose. It is also critical, that society, advocate for the passing …show more content…
With the prevailing use of cell phones and other handheld electronic devices, the incidents of fatalities caused by distracted driving, began to steadily increase. This rise in distraction caused death rates, and the steep incline in cell phone use, solicited more research into the correlation between the two. PhD holders from the School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Fernando A. Wilson, and Jim Stimpson, point out that “[they] were the first to examine and empirically test the relations between national trends in road fatalities, cell phone subscriber rates, and estimated text message volumes” (2216). This statement brings to light the limited research that had been done on this subject as recently as …show more content…
It would seem that if something has a strong possibility of resulting in death, people would avoid that particular activity, however, research shows that is not the case in this instance. There has been some exploration done on this topic with some interesting findings. The National Phone Survey on Distracted Driving indicates that nearly everyone surveyed felt that texting did not affect their driving abilities. These same people, however thought it was unsafe for others to do so (qtd.in J. J. Bernstein and J. Bernstein 4). We tend to overestimate our own abilities, but easily see the dangers where other people are concerned. People may also be more apt to use their phone when driving alone, perhaps from boredom, or a need for human connection. Young people, especially, see themselves as invincible, and have the attitude that bad things will not happen to them. There is very little stigma placed on texting and driving, which may make it seem more acceptable, unlike drunk driving which is regarded as taboo in our culture. Several years ago, drunk driving was also considered acceptable and normal, but with activists and media getting information to the public, and law makers getting involved, it has become an intolerabl practice. The culture we have, that