Top-Rated Free Essay
Preview

Texting And Driving Has Become A Huge Epidemic In The Most Recent Years

Good Essays
613 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Texting And Driving Has Become A Huge Epidemic In The Most Recent Years
Texting and driving has become a tremendous epidemic in the most recent years. Texting and driving is considered to be very dangerous and causes fatal and non-fatal car accidents. This is not only an issue for teenagers, but also an issue for adults. In order to put a stop to this horrible epidemic, we should crack down on texting and driving. People are horrible at multitasking while driving; therefore, we should have ways to prevent the issue. Ways to obviate texting and driving can be: increasing fines, 30 hours of mandatory driving school, even build cars that automatically disable texting, and jail time for repeating offenders. First, if fines are increased on texting and driving; I sense it will influence criminals to stop committing the crime. Lawbreakers of texting and driving would not want to pay a high dollar fine and court cost when receiving the ticket for the act. In Tipton County, TN, the fine for court cost is $175; therefore, if they raised a texting and driving ticket to $225, the perpetrator would be out of $400. After the perpetrator is out of $400, if sentence to driving school in Tipton County that would be an additional $70; therefore, the perpetrator is out of nearly $500. Is texting and driving still worth it? Raising fines would also help tax dollars in creating others ways to prevent the huge dilemma. In that same way, mandatory driving school might be the best alternative to prevent texting and driving. The reason driving school will help neutralize this botheration is because it will go in depth on the dangers of texting and driving. In these sessions, disobeyers will watch video clips and documentaries on how dangerous texting and driving is; in addition to that, they will listen to guest speakers on how they have lost loved ones due to the dilemma of texting while driving. Listening to other people talk about what dangers has happened due to this epidemic, will trigger emotions on offenders causing them to take the proper precautions to refrain from texting while driving. Besides that, car companies are building cars that are really compatible with all cell phones. If car companies like GM, Nissan, Acura, etc. decides to put a sensor inside of a car to disable a phones’ ability to text while the car is in motion would cut down on lots of texting and driving. By disabling the phone, not only would it cut down on texting and driving, but also would it cut down on fatal car crashes. To prevent this huge epidemic, car companies should put this into consideration. Furthermore, some people need to lie down awhile before they decide to obey the law. For repeating offenders of texting and driving, a minimum of 60 days in jail should stop the criminal from committing the same crime. Some may feel that this event is too strict; however, is losing innocent lives due to texting while driving comparable to 60 days in jail? Going to jail would separate the offender from their job, families, and everyday life in general; therefore, the perpetrator would think twice about the decision to text and drive. In conclusion, there is a supernumerary amount of ways to put an end to texting and driving; it’s just up to us to put forth the effort to enforce ground rules on texting and driving. As we know, texting and driving is dangerous and causes many accidents. Families lost many love ones due to text messages that could have waited. As a society, we should take into consideration ways to prevent texting and driving; in addition, we should follow the steps to prevent this epidemic.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    As modern technology has advanced over the years, the number of distractions to driving have increased. It is not only a phone call, or a conversation with a passenger, that can take attention from the road- but more contemporary forms of inattention, which stem from texting and driving. Being distracted while driving can lead to fatal results. Attempting to juggle operating a vehicle and typing out a text message is just as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than driving while intoxicated. Research has even found that the probability of a driver crashing is twice as likely if the individual was texting than if they were driving intoxicated. Many cities and states have implemented ordinances and laws in an attempt to ban electronic device use…

    • 192 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Each day we go about our lives without rethinking the repercussions that could arise from our routine actions. Roughly, over 8 people are killed and 1,150 are injured each day from vehicular crashes involving a distracted driver (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). “New research from AT&T shows nearly 4-in-10 smartphone users tap into social media while driving. Almost 3-in-10 surf the net. And surprisingly, 1-in-10 video chat (AT&T).” “7-in-10 people engage in smartphone activities while driving (AT&T).” “A recent AT&T survey found that 97 percent of teens say they know that texting is dangerous. The survey also found: 75 percent of teens surveyed say that texting while driving is “common” among their friends; Almost all teens (89 percent) expect a reply to a text or email within five minutes or less; And 77…

    • 1631 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Imagine being told that someone you love has been killed in an accident, that involved people who had been drinking and texting behind the wheel. This example goes to show that every choice comes with a price. In this case the driver chooses to go behind the wheel while intoxicated and chose to text behind the wheel that resulted in a horrific accident that hurt the lives of many. As of 2008 data from the article driving while distracted 6,000 people died in car accidents because of distracted driving. First, I will be informing you on the pros and cons of banning texting while driving, secondly, I will be informing you on phone usage, and lastly, I will talk about the reduction of accidents in areas that have cell phone bans.…

    • 614 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    When trying to figure out ways to prevent distracted driving car accidents we often overlook the obvious: the perspective of the texter. My guess is that most people reading this are not teenagers, the most likely group to text and drive. The following essay was written before the recent efforts in Michigan to ban texting while driving. It has been edited for timeliness and length, but all the salient points remain. The essay was featured on Traverse City Record-Eagle’s website and was written by Traverse City West Senior High School junior Kelly Brown:…

    • 699 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    “Composing a typical text message is roughly akin to closing one 's eyes for nearly five seconds, during which time a car going 55 mph covers more than the length of a football field” (Savitz 2012). Due to the technological advances of the smartphone, and the fact that 50% of all teenagers admit to texting while driving, deaths of teenagers from texting while driving has skyrocketed. The latest data shows that over 3,000 teenage drivers died and over 300,000 were injured last year, as a result of teenage texting while driving. “The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety estimates that it is to blame for 11 teen deaths each day” (Savitz 2012). These deaths and injuries now make teenage texting while driving the leading cause of death among teenagers in the United States. With laws making no difference on whether drivers text, the number of deaths attributed to teenage texting while driving will only rise in the coming…

    • 573 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Technology is everywhere in our everyday lives, and at no other times is it more dangerous to be around than when you are behind the wheel of a vehicle. My editorial titled “Texting while driving? In a matter of seconds, you could ruin lives forever.” Was created by the Editorial Board of the Chicago Tribune. This editorial is focused on the argument that driving while texting can be extremely hazardous to a person’s life and those around them. “Close your eyes, and count five seconds. Open them. That's the average amount of time motorists take their eyes off the road while texting.” This statement speaks strongly to me in giving a better understanding to the issue described. The author does not openly try to persuade the audience to go with his will but talks about the consequences of doing it and the ramifications it comes with.…

    • 678 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The number of people who have been affected by texting and driving is dramatically increasing. Clearly the laws, punishments, and education up to this point have not done much to change how people view texting and driving. Due to the facts that have been revealed about texting and driving, it is imperative that the government takes strong action to fight this rising epidemic. Although it may be near impossible to keep people off their phones, it is vital that stricter laws are put against it. Law enforcement, including police and the judicial system must put their foot down and stand by it. All ages must be targeted as well. Even though older people may think they are more experienced behind the wheel, accidents can happen and they should not be able to use their phones either. It should also no longer be a question whether it is a safe time to pick up the phone and send a quick text. The punishments must be toughened, forcing people to face harder consequences if caught texting while driving behind the wheel. License suspension would be a strong preventive in order for people to keep both hands on the wheel. On top of the new laws that should be put against texting while driving, drawing attention and focus to people who have suffered tragedies from texting and driving could be a key part to prevent more from happening. Making sure people are fully educated, enforcing stronger laws, and following through with stricter punishments are the first things that need to be done in order to keep people off their phones. Do you want the last thing you see before flying off the road to be “What r u doing? LOL”? There is nothing so important in a text message that cannot wait until later. Do not let any more young individuals lives be taken from texting and driving. Do something about…

    • 1592 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Texting while Driving

    • 1070 Words
    • 5 Pages

    In an article from USA Today, it clearly shows that teenagers that text and drive are also more than likely to conduct other risky behavior. Teens who text and drive are more likely to drink and drive than teens that do not text and drive. What this demonstrates is that teenagers that make one bad decision are likely to make many bad decisions. I think this article could benefit parents by allowing them the opportunity to observe their teenager to see if their teenager is involved in any risky behavior. If they observe a teenager who is not wearing a seatbelt, then they can probably assume that they are also texting while driving. This could give parents an opportunity to sit down with their child and explain to them the dangers of the behaviors that they’re finding themselves in. All parents could benefit from…

    • 1070 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Drving While Texting

    • 2224 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Texting while driving puts many driver’s lives in danger daily. Multiple people feel that staying connected to the outside world is more important than focusing on the road ahead, although it isn’t. Furthermore, it can harm others on the road who are doing nothing other than trying to make it to their destination safely. If people would open their eyes to the dangers of texting while driving, less car accidents would take place every year and the roads would be much…

    • 2224 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Distracted Drivers

    • 539 Words
    • 3 Pages

    As Amy Klobuchar says in her article, Law and Attitudes About Texting While Driving Need to change: “My bipartisan initiatives, which have been included in the last two transportation bills, encourage states to enact graduated licensing programs, helping new drivers acclimate to the rules of the road” (Klobuchar, 2016). Education for new drivers is very important, because they lack of experience, if they are not educated enough, they will have a higher chance to be involved into car accidents. Driving across a football field only needs a few second at the speed of 55 miles per hours, so many things could happen in this few seconds (Klobuchar, 2016). Education will change drivers’ attitude and behavior while driving because they know what will happen if they are distracted while…

    • 539 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    State, Federal, and local lawmakers have placed laws into effect to ban the use of cell phones while driving. No state bans all cell phone use (handheld and hands free) for all drivers, but many prohibit all cell phone use by certain drivers. Even with laws permitting laws enforcement to ticket individuals who are caught texting, people continue to ignore the laws. Here are some solutions we can try: (1) Create cars that block texting while the vehicle is running. (2) Use technology such as Bluetooth headsets. The other solution would be like DWI’s, after the 2nd offense, suspension of driving privileges. With teenagers being the biggest offenders of texting while driving, we need to get their attention and help them understand the important issues at hand, “texting and driving takes lives.…

    • 538 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    texting while driving

    • 299 Words
    • 2 Pages

    After reading and analyzing the journals and articles, I now realize the serious consequences and problems that texting while driving, and driving underage can cause. There are many dangers that come with texting while driving that never occur to the people performing the action. "Nearly 5500 people were killed in distracted driving accidents in 2009, the Department of Transportation found." While most might believe that drunk driving is the culprit to most unforced accidents, they may not be educated enough to know that texting and driving is just as bad. Typically these bad habits such as texting and driving occurs in the younger generations such as my age, or young adults. In the state of New York the driving age has been raised to 17 or even 18. "The Arlington Va-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said yesterday the change would reduce crashes asking teen drivers and make the roads safer." Nearly 6000 deaths and 500000 injuries in 2008, resulting from just texting and driving! These results should not only be astonishing and shocking, but should stop people completely from texting and driving. Also distracted driving is playing a large roll on car accidents. "There is no safe what to drive distracted.", says DOT spokeswomen Sasha Johnson. "Hands free is not risk free." While driving the driver should always have complete focus and be paying close attention to the roads and their surroundings. New York State has recently raised the ticket to a maximum of $150 fine if a driver is caught on, using, or holding an electronic device. The state is hoping that by forcing the people to pay more they will be scared out of texting while driving. Although this should not have to have gotten so far, the state taking precautions is a very smart and strategic way of enforcing the law.…

    • 299 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    As said before devices are being made to prevent distracted driving. Many questions are being asked if the devices will work or if people will actually get them installed. Cars will have to be able to withhold the capacity of these devices, no one is going too voluntarily by a new car just to use as device that could possibly not work in the next 5 year. According to Paul Atchley, a psychologist at the University of Kansas who studies compulsive use of texting by drivers said “Awareness wasn’t enough. The lure of the device is too powerful, he said, to be overcome by awareness of the risks” (Hit the Break, NY Times). Most teen and adults do not care about paying a small fine because they were having fun but when does the fun stop? When someone gets killed? Distracted driving needs to be controlled because it’s becoming one of the country’s biggest health concerns. At the end of the day, it all comes down to what a person does with these new ways to prevent a major part of distracted driving from…

    • 994 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    A reason why texting and driving is a serious issue is because it causes a disproportionate amount of accidents every year. In 2012, 3,328 people were killed and 421,000 were injured in distraction-affected crashes (NHTSA). It’s a shocking realization that so many lives are taken every year over something that could have been simply avoided, yet the number of accidents still continue to rise. Part of the reason that so many lives are being taken away is because driving while using a cellphone is a distraction that can inevitably hinder…

    • 603 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Many do not deny the dangers of texting while driving. In fact, 95 percent of AAA survey said texting behind the wheel was a "very" serious threat to their personal safety. 35 percent of that same group confessed to reading a text or email while driving in the last 30 days, according to an article posted on Mother Jones. (Hansen-Bundy, Benjy. "Why Texting-While-Driving Bans Don't Work.") Drivers seem to know the possible outcome of distracted driving, but don’t think it will ever happen to them. Unless texting bans propose more serious consequences, the only way to stop drivers may by through an…

    • 520 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays