Distracted While Driving - 1057 Words

Distracted While Driving Virtually anyone who has a driver’s license has been introduced to the idea that distracted driving causes accidents. However, the consequences of distracted driving are far more than just predictable and often taken lightly. Predictable events can be avoided. Since these are predictable events they are preventable. The choices that drivers make affect more people than they may realize, thus making them responsible for the consequences that result from those choices. On a daily basis more than 15 American deaths and another 1,200 injuries are attributed to drivers that are distracted while driving on the very roads most of us use every day (Harvard Men’s Health Watch, page 7). Distractions can be†¦show more content†¦There are five tips on how to avoid common driving distractions: turn off your cell phone, use a hands free device only in cases of emergency, make sure all passengers have a safety belt equipped, eat before or after you drive, and program yo ur GPS before you leave your driveway or parking lot. If you have to deal with any of these or other issues while driving pull over to the side of the road to address the given situation. Following these steps can assist in preventing the loss of life due to distracted driving. The cognitive distractions caused by the use of mobile phones while driving usually cause vehicular accidents to be more severe, however there are steps that can be taken to improve both personal and public safety; it’s up to us to take those steps (Professional Safety, page 1). Visual, manual and cognitive distractions that occur simultaneously while driving are a recipe for vehicular related fatalities involving American teenagers, and often times unsuspecting victims as a result (Harvard Men’s Health Watch, page 6). Hand-held cell phones involve visual distraction while dialing, manual distraction while holding the phone, and cognitive distraction throughout the whole use of the device ( Harvard Men’s Health Watch, page 7). Informing old drivers and introducing new drivers to the dangers of being distracted while driving may raise support in preventing the use of hand held devices while driving. If ourShow MoreRelatedDriving While Texting : Distracted Driving992 Words   |  4 Pagesmore than 13,000 traffic deaths nationwide were due to distracted driving. It is believed that distracted drivers are 23 times more likely to get into a traffic accident as compared to those who are completely focused on the road. The Ohio State Highway Patrol reports that there were 302,307 motor vehicle crashes in Ohio in 2015. These crashes resulted in 1,110 fatalities. 22 of these fatalities were attributed to drivers who were distracted by their phones, texting, emailing or other electronicRead MoreDistracted Driving While Using Handheld Electronic Device893 Words   |  4 Pagesfirst distractions while driving a vehicle began with something as simple as the car radio. As technology progressed, the devices became more complex and required more attention to operate them. Recently, the biggest distraction for drivers is using smartphones to send text messages or to interact with others through social media. People fail to realize the dangers that are associated with distracted driving. The Department of Transportation reported 100,917 distracted driving crashes in 2014, resultingRead MoreEssay on Public Service Announcements on Texting and Driving1154 Words   |  5 Pageswho tend to disregard warnings an d are most like to be distracted drivers, texting and driving PSA’s bring awareness and self consciousness to the general public as they display from moderate to severe graphic scenes on what happens when you take your eyes off of the wheel. A distracted driving PSA ad is not only one of the best ways to alert people of the consequences of unfocused driving, but it can also reduce the number of distracted driving incidents, thus keeping families not only careful andRead MoreDistracted Driving Essay1691 Words   |  7 Pagescan especially happen while driving. Distracted driving is a major problem today, mostly because of cell phones, but there are many other activities or objects that can be distracting to a driver, impacting themselves and other drivers on the road. Distracted driving causes many deaths and injuries each year, and could easily be avoided if drivers took more responsibility for their actions while driving, avoiding any distractions that take their attention away from driving, which threatens the safetyRead MoreDistracted Driving Argument Paper1574 Words   |  7 Pagestechnology in wireless communications is presenting a growing concern for distracted driving due to using cell phones and other electronic devices while driving. Although distracted driving accidents and fatalities have risen in the last decade, placing a ban on the use of a cell phone or other electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle as some states have will not resolve the issue. In fact a ban on cell phones and driving may very well increase the accident and fatality rate because driversRead MoreCauses and Effects of Distracted Driving Essay examples1147 Words   |  5 PagesThe Causes and Effects of Distracted Driving   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Distracted driving is one of the fastest growing problems in the United States.   Ã‚  It is starting to be considered as serious as drunk driving based on the dangerous outcomes.   According to the Department of Transportation (2012), â€Å"distracted driving was a cause of roughly 450,000 accident-related injuries and nearly 5,500 fatalities in 2009 alone† (para. 1). Drivers who allow themselves to become distracted while driving are not only endangeringRead MoreDistracted Driving Is The Most Dangerous Distraction Essay870 Words   |  4 Pagesprohibiting distracted driving by understanding the risk factors, and the effects of distracted driving. 1 Topic A: Details B: Quotations C: Example 1: Explanation 2. Analysis What is Distracted driving? Texting is the most dangerous distraction because it requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention (Facts and Statistics). Distracted driving is an increasing problem in the United States and among younger drivers. According to reports, distracted driving is similar to drunk driving becauseRead MoreDistracted Driving Annotated Bibliography1727 Words   |  7 PagesAnnotated Bibliography Distracted Driving. Opposing Viewpoints Online Collection. Detroit: Gale, 2012. Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 6 Mar. 2013. In this article â€Å"Distracted Driving†, many distractions are mentioned other than just cell phone usage, such as changing the radio station or driving with kids in the back seat. It is stated that the dangers from distracted driving are because of the decrease in brain function and inability to pay full attention to the road. These practicesRead MoreDistracted Driving : Not Driving1720 Words   |  7 Pagesyou know that it is wrong to check while you are driving, you still check it anyways because you have done it plenty of times and got away with it. Then you look back up and realize that you are on the other side of the road and there is a car heading your way. You swerve back into your lane just in time to miss the incoming car and you realize how those three seconds could have completely changed your life. This is an experience many young and older distracted drivers have at least once in theirRead MoreDistracted Driving Is A Big Problem957 Words   |  4 Pagesthousand people were killed in car crashes caused by distracted drivers† (n.pag.). Distracted driving started when technology became mobile and handheld. Many people have died and gotten injured from people not paying attention to the road. This problem has been growing as technology advances. Distracted driving is a big problem and there needs to be stronger penalties and laws in place to deter people from distracted driving. Distracted driving has been a problem for a long time. It has grown in