What’s Next for Stopping Texts With three short words, “Where u at,” Mariah West left this world. West was driving to a Little League baseball game when she took a few seconds to type out a quick text message. The words she typed would be her last when, looking at her phone, she lost control of her car, which then clipped a bridge, slid on its roof, and flipped back into oncoming traffic, killing Mariah (Copeland).
Technology has provided mankind with many benefits, such as immediate information and instant communication. However, technology also has its downfalls, one of which is providing a means for distracted driving. According to Gostin and Jacobson (2010), in 2009 alone, 5,870 people were killed and an estimated 515,000 individuals were …show more content…
Habits are hard to break, but when a habit as harmful as texting while driving is formed, it needs to be dealt with immediately. Because texting is such a prominent aspect of American culture, it is only natural that feeling the need to be in constant communication with one’s peers carries over into driving. According to the research of Madden and Lenhart, 26% of all American teens ages 16-17 say they have texted while driving (2009). Texting while driving is such a prominent problem, it is clear we need to do all we can to help drivers break this lethal habit and learn to drive …show more content…
Many states already have this type of information built into driver’s education programs. What is important, though, is the emphasis on health education. A driver can have plenty of restrictions and laws regarding distracted driving and texting, but only by thorough education on the matter will students come to realize the seriousness of putting away the cell phone while driving.
These courses on texting and driving will be a requirement in order to be granted a driver’s license. Instructors will be employed by the government and follow course guidelines determined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If teens are never taught how dangerous texting while driving can be, the number of deaths caused by distracted driving will only increase every
Technology has provided mankind with many benefits, such as immediate information and instant communication. However, technology also has its downfalls, one of which is providing a means for distracted driving. According to Gostin and Jacobson (2010), in 2009 alone, 5,870 people were killed and an estimated 515,000 individuals were …show more content…
Habits are hard to break, but when a habit as harmful as texting while driving is formed, it needs to be dealt with immediately. Because texting is such a prominent aspect of American culture, it is only natural that feeling the need to be in constant communication with one’s peers carries over into driving. According to the research of Madden and Lenhart, 26% of all American teens ages 16-17 say they have texted while driving (2009). Texting while driving is such a prominent problem, it is clear we need to do all we can to help drivers break this lethal habit and learn to drive …show more content…
Many states already have this type of information built into driver’s education programs. What is important, though, is the emphasis on health education. A driver can have plenty of restrictions and laws regarding distracted driving and texting, but only by thorough education on the matter will students come to realize the seriousness of putting away the cell phone while driving.
These courses on texting and driving will be a requirement in order to be granted a driver’s license. Instructors will be employed by the government and follow course guidelines determined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If teens are never taught how dangerous texting while driving can be, the number of deaths caused by distracted driving will only increase every