Standardizing Cell Phone Usage Laws It is safe to suggest that if a person owns a phone and drives on a regular basis, then they are probably guilty of texting and driving. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that “over eight people are killed and 1,161 injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver each day” (CDC, 2016). Have you ever been in an automobile accident and quickly realized that a small electronic device was the cause? Millions of Americans see this kind of blatant disregard for human life played out each year with the utilizing of mobile phones while driving. Distractive driving is defined as anything that takes the attention of a driver off of the safe operation of a vehicle. A
…show more content…
The use of mobile phones in the United States has gone from a tool used by families in case of emergencies; to more of a requirement in everyday life. The Annual Wireless Industry Survey conducted by Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association for fiscal year 2014-2015, claims that the number of Americans using cell phones today have doubled since 2003 (CTIA, 2015). As an advocate of the efforts behind banning texting and cell phone use behind the wheel, the Department of Transportation in association with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported to congress in 2013 highlighting the use of cell phones while driving as being one of the top ranking causes for distracted driving. Upon that release, the American public became aware of the potential hazards associated with this type of behavior (USDOT, …show more content…
Laws have been passed banning the use of mobile phones in some state, and in others nothing is being done. The inconsistencies in laws per state have not only caused mass confusion, but it also sends the wrong message to those who use mobile phones while driving on a regular basis. To mitigate the confusion and to get everyone on the same page; laws and regulations that govern the use of mobile phones while driving must gain momentum and become tough enough to prevent their use completely. There are three major problems discussed further that associates the use of mobile phones while driving with distracted driving: the numerous people who lose their lives each year, the many variations of laws that govern their use, and the need for tougher
The use of mobile phones in the United States has gone from a tool used by families in case of emergencies; to more of a requirement in everyday life. The Annual Wireless Industry Survey conducted by Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association for fiscal year 2014-2015, claims that the number of Americans using cell phones today have doubled since 2003 (CTIA, 2015). As an advocate of the efforts behind banning texting and cell phone use behind the wheel, the Department of Transportation in association with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported to congress in 2013 highlighting the use of cell phones while driving as being one of the top ranking causes for distracted driving. Upon that release, the American public became aware of the potential hazards associated with this type of behavior (USDOT, …show more content…
Laws have been passed banning the use of mobile phones in some state, and in others nothing is being done. The inconsistencies in laws per state have not only caused mass confusion, but it also sends the wrong message to those who use mobile phones while driving on a regular basis. To mitigate the confusion and to get everyone on the same page; laws and regulations that govern the use of mobile phones while driving must gain momentum and become tough enough to prevent their use completely. There are three major problems discussed further that associates the use of mobile phones while driving with distracted driving: the numerous people who lose their lives each year, the many variations of laws that govern their use, and the need for tougher