Distracted Driving Research Paper

Distracted driving is the act of participating in anything that has the potential to distract the driver. Distractions include engaging in conversations with the driver and turning on the music too loud. Drivers themselves as well can also engage in distractions while they drive. For example, eating while driving, watching TV, driving with ear buds in, and lastly texting. Though these actions may seem harmless they can be quite dangerous. The act of driving while distracted has become a regular occurrence on public roads and highways- it is also most commonly seen in novice and teen drivers. However, public service announcements have been and continue to be an advantageous tool in addressing this dangerous situation. Public service announcements are effective because …show more content…
Furthermore, public service announcements sometimes show the adverse effects distracted driving has on a family, a family that member permanently or in some other regard. For instance, “Get the Message” shares stories of families who have suffered a lost due to distracted driving. Dear Mom and Dad is a video that tells of an individual whose decision to text and drive cost her life. Public service announcements also feature other consequences in real life scenarios. Like getting pulled over by a police car, getting a ticket, and much more. Public service announcements that play on our emotions and get us to feel something are effective because it sticks. A survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation about the effectiveness of public service announcements stated, “Seventy-six percent of participants “strongly agree” or “agree that PSAs that show a fine will impact their driving behavior.” A study referenced by Washington State University suggest that emotional appeals in public service announcements reach people, get more attention ,and tend to be more