Safe Driving and Standardized Cell Term Paper

Problems to be addressed:

There are several problems associated with the issue of cell phone use while driving and the ineffective regulations to restrict the use of mobile phones on the road. First, the increased use of these devices while driving has significant impacts on driving performance. This is because mobile phone use during driving distracts the driver physically, cognitively, and visually. The distractions contribute to the inability of drivers to maintain required speed, lateral position, and throttle control on the road. Since the driving performance reduces, the risk of crashes and accidents on the roads increases. Studies have shown that drivers miss 13% targets when talking and 24% when dialing or texting (Brace, Young & Regan, 2007).

Secondly, cell phone while driving contributes to a major social problem of increased crash risk since it endangers the lives of passengers, drivers, and passersby. In addition to the distractions it causes on drivers, this practice is also associated with passenger and passersby distractions. As a result of being distracted by cell phone use while driving, the risk of a serious crash or accident is increased by nearly 3 times. Notably, the increased crash risk occurs regardless of whether the device is a hand-held or hands-free mobile phone. The enhanced crash risk in turn contributes to the increase in the likelihood of road accidents and casualties from such incidents.

Third, legislative measures in individual states to restrict cell phones on the road have largely been ineffective and vary greatly. Actually, there is no state that totally prohibits mobile phones use while driving though 10 states have enacted legislations that ban the use of handheld cell phone (Romero, 2012).While many states enforce certain restrictions on cell phone use while driving, these restrictions do not carry a heavy penalty for violating them. Due to the disparities in legislations governing cell phone use on the road, many people unknowingly violate these laws by using their mobile phones while driving because of ignorance.

Conclusion:

As evident in this analysis, the use of cell phones while driving has been fueled by the fact that these devices have become a personal necessity because of the growth in the mobile phone industry. While these devices have some essential benefits, their increased use has generated significant problems that endanger the society. Even though individual states have taken legislative action to govern the issue, they have been ineffective. Therefore, enacting a standardized legislation at the federal level would help lessen cell phone use while driving through addressing the disparities in state legislations and the problems linked to the issue.

References:

Bruce, C.L., Young, K.L. & Regan, M.A. (2007, April 17). Analysis of the Literature: The Use

of Mobile Phones while Driving. Retrieved May 12, 2013, from http://www.nsc.org/news_resources/Resources/Documents/Analysis%20of%20the%20Literature,%20The%20Use%20of%20Mobile%20Phones%20While%20Driving.pdf

Noder, S.L. (2009). Talking and Texting While Driving: A Look at Regulating Cell Phone Use

Behind the Wheel. Valparaiso University Law Review, 44(1), 237-282.

Romero, L.W. (2012). Safe Driving and Standardization of Cell Phone Regulations. Retrieved May 12, 2013, from http://www.knoxvilledailysun.com/news/2012/september/cell-phone-regulations.html.....