Outlaw the Use of Handheld Cell Phones While Driving
CL
English 111.4
November 9, 2009

Abstract

Cell phones should be banned to make for a safer country. When considering whether or not cell phones should be allowed to be used while driving, generates two different positions. The use of a cell phone while a car is in motion should be made illegal throughout the United States with exceptions of emergencies. Cell phones are a distraction and our brain is better at concentrating on one thing at a time, while using a cell phone you have a slower reaction time and it will reduce the amount of vehicle accidents. Some argue that cell phones cause just as much distraction as many other things such as the radio and that cell phones are needed for emergencies. Others argue that a law banning the use will help decrease vehicle accidents and increase peoples concentration on driving.

Outlaw the use of Handheld Cell Phones While Driving “500,000 passenger vehicle drivers are talking on hand-held cell phones, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration” (O’Rourke, 2004). When considering whether or not cell phones should be allowed while driving, causes deep feelings to be expressed on both sides of the issue. Some argue that cell phones cause just as much distraction as many other things, such as the radio. Others argue that such a law will help decrease vehicle accidents and increase the driver’s concentration on driving. Our first concern should be the safety of our people driving on the road. The use of cell phones while a persons car is in motion should be made illegal throughout the United States with exceptions of emergencies.
Distraction and Brain Concentration
Cell phones should be banned because they create distraction while driving. This is because a person’s brain is better at concentrating on one thing at a time. Our brain cannot concurrently carry out tasks while doing them all well (Sundeen, 2001). Susman, MD editor-in-chief of the journal of family practice (2007) shows us that cell phone users while driving have a four times greater risk of causing an accident that only involves property damage. By having two hands on the wheel at all times the person is solely giving all of their attention to concentrate on driving safely. That fact shows us that we are not as good at multitasking as we think. This could be avoided with two hands are on the wheel with sole concentration on the road.
Slower Reaction Time
Although people might think they are good at doing two things at once, with a cell phone a person has a slower reaction time. A slower reaction time can cause an accident, such as someone rear ending another car because they have not noticed the car in front of them putting on their breaks to come to a stop. Professor O’Rourke at the University of Idaho (2004) compares cell phone drivers and drivers under the influence, showing us that cell phone drivers experience greater impairment and less responsive driving behavior. A significant factor of being in control of a car is your reaction time. Drivers need an immediate reaction to cars using their breaks, turning, or completing any other driving task. “Drivers using cell phones were found to have a breaking reaction time three times longer than drivers under the influence of alcohol” (O’Rourke, 2004). There are many laws helping to decrease alcohol related accidents and therefore we should now direct our attention to creating laws banning cell phones while driving.
Decrease in Car Accidents
A law banning the use of cell phones while driving, unless in an emergency, will reduce the amount of vehicle accidents. “The rise of cell phones by drivers may result in some 2,600 deaths, 330,000 injuries and 1.5 million instances of property damage in the United States every year” (O’Rourke, 2004). Those numbers are extremely high, especially when they could be eliminated with a task as simple as pulling off on the side of the road if it is necessary to use the phone. Iain, (2005) verifies that less car accidents occur in states where these bans are enforced. This is just an example of one article showing us that banning the use of cell phones will no doubt decrease the amount of accidents occurring.
Everyone knows that cell phones have become more socially needed. Back in the day before cell phones were invented, people drove around just fine without them. In emergency situations cell phones should be allowed but otherwise if it is that important that the call is needed to be made then the person should have enough time to be able to pull over. “A mother in Pennsylvania had to cope with the loss of her two year old daughter due to a car accident caused by someone driving while using their cell phone” (Sundeen, 2001). No one wants to see a relative cope with the lost of a loved one especially when these instances can be prevented.
Some people argue that using cell phones while driving reduce emergency response times. “CTIA estimates that 139,000 emergency calls are placed by cell phone users every single day” (Sundeen, 2001). This is a good point and should be taken into consideration when banning the use of cell phones while driving. Accident rates will still be lower by banning regular cell phone users but still allowing emergency phone calls.
There are a lot of factors not banned such as eating, drinking, messing with the radio, talking with other people in the car, and etc. However this is not a reason to overlook one topic while it is being noticed. The use of cell phones while driving is being brought to our attention and should be addressed not overlooked. Cell phones are still a noticeable factor that can definitely decrease the number of vehicle accidents occurring.
Conclusion
As a result of the information found, talking on a cell phone can distract a person from concentrating soley on the road. Our brain is better at concentrating on one thing at a time, we are not as good of a multitasker as we might have thought. While using a cell phone while driving gives the driver a slower reaction time which in the end can cause more car accidents. All together the use of cell phones while a persons car is in motion should be made illegal for all throughout the United States with exceptions to emergencies. Wouldn’t you do anything to create a law that could help prevent you from seeing a loved one cope with an injury or even a person’s death, caused by a car accident?

References
Iain, M. (2005). Cell phone accidents. The American Enterprise 16.1. General OneFile. Retrieved November 3, 2009, from http://0-find.galegroup.com.library.svsu.edu/gps/start.do?prodId=IPS&userGroupName=lom_saginawvsu
O’Rourke, M. (2004). Considering cell phone bans. Risk Management 51.10. General OneFile. Retrieved November 3, 2009, from http://0-find.galegroup.com.library.svsu.edu/gps/start.do?prodId=IPS&userGroupName=iom_saginawvsu
Sundeen, M. (2001). Driving while calling – What’s the legal limit? State Legislatrures. General OneFile. Retrieved November 3, 2009, from http://0-find,galegroup.com.library.svsu.edu/gps/start.do?prodId=IPS&userGroupName=lom_saginawvsu
Susman, J. (2007). Driven to distraction. Journal of Family Practice 56.1. General OneFile. Retrieved November 3, 2009, from http://0-find.galegroup.com.library.svsu.edu/gps/start.do?prodId=IPS&userGroupName=lom_saginawvsu