Regulate Use of Cell Phones on the Road - 1330 Words

When a cell phone goes off in a classroom or at a concert, people are irritated, but at least lives are not endangered. When on the road, however, irresponsible cell phone users are more than irritating: They are putting our lives at risk. Many of us have witnessed drivers so distracted by dialing and chatting that they resemble drunk drivers, weaving between lanes, for example, or nearly running down pedestrians in crosswalks. A number of bills to regulate use of cell phones on the road have been introduced in state legislatures, and the time has come to push for their passage. Regulation is needed because drivers using phones are seriously impaired and because laws on negligent and reckless driving are not sufficient to punish offenders†¦show more content†¦The latter statistic is interesting, for it suggests that those who carry phones in their cars may tend to be more negligent or prone to distractions of all kinds than those who do not. Some groups have argued that stat e traffic laws make legislation regulating cell phone use unnecessary. Sadly, this is not true. Laws on traffic safety vary from state to state, and drivers distracted by cell phones can get off with light punishment even when they cause fatal accidents. Although the midshipman mentioned earlier was charged with vehicular manslaughter for the deaths of John and Carole Hall, the judge was unable to issue a verdict of guilty. Under Maryland law, he could only find the defendant guilty of negligent driving and impose a $500 fine (Layton C1). Such a light sentence is not unusual. The driver who killed Morgan Pena in Pennsylvania received two tickets and a $50 fine--and retained his driving privileges (Pena). In Georgia, a young woman distracted by her phone ran down and killed a two-year-old; her sentence was ninety days in boot camp and five hundred hours of community service (Ippolito J1). The families of the victims are understandably distressed by laws that lead to such light senten ces. When certain kinds of driver behavior are shown to be especially dangerous, we wisely draft special laws making them illegal and imposing specific punishments. Running red lights, failing to stop for a school bus, and drunk driving are obviousShow MoreRelatedA Call to Action: Regulate Use of Cell Phones on the Road1956 Words   |  8 PagesDavid ******* English 101-B 14 March 2004 A Call to Action: Regulate Use of Cell Phones on the Road When a cell phone goes off in a classroom or at a concert, we are irritated, but at least our lives are not endangered. When we are on the road, however, irresponsible cell phone users are more than irritating: They are putting our lives at risk. Many of us have witnessed drivers so distracted by dialing and chatting that they resemble drunk drivers, weaving between lanes, for example, or nearly runningRead MoreDistracted Driving and Cell Phones1678 Words   |  7 PagesToday, one of the major sources of automobile accidents is distracted driving due to cell phone use. Driver distraction can be defined as â€Å"the diversion of attention away from activities critical for the safe driving toward a competing activity† (Young 3). The dangers of driving while using a cell phone cannot be overstated, but drivers still use their cell phones even though they are illegal. According to a survey, â€Å"About 2 out of 10 (18%) report that they have sent text messages or emails whileRead MoreDistractions while Driving879 Words   |  3 Pagesthe road and caused other’s deaths because they were distracted with doing something while driving. 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The extent of the danger, however, is a matterRead MoreDistracted Driving While Using Handheld Electronic Device893 Words   |  4 Pageshave increased by 6 percent (â€Å"Cell Phone† 2008). The broad meaning of the phrase, distracted driving is any activity that could divert a driver’s attention while operating a vehicle. My paper will focus solely on distracted driving while using a handheld electronic device. People that use a mobile device while driving are completely aware of the consequences that can result. However, they consciously choose to put themselves at risk without regard for others on the road. According to the Texas TransportationRead MoreCell Phones in the Hands of Drivers: a Risk or Benefit?1570 Words   |  7 PagesCell Phones in the Hands of Drivers A Risk or a Benefit Ariana Laguna English 102 Professor Barnes/Walter 10 December 2012 Outline THESIS: Unless the risks of cell phones are shown to outweigh the benefits, we should not restrict their use in moving vehicles: instead, we should educate the public about the dangers of driving while phoning and prosecute irresponsible phone users under laws on negligent and reckless driving. I. Scientific studies havent proved a link between use ofRead MoreAre Texting And Driving Laws Strong Enough?1596 Words   |  7 PagesAre Texting and Driving Laws Strong Enough? What started as a morning full of joy and energy for a young woman in North Carolina on April 24, 2014, ended in tragedy that same morning. Ann Sanford, was driving while using her phone to update her Facebook page; the police report indicated that the latest update to her social page was made at 8:33 am Thursday. The latest update of the young Ann Sanford read The happy song makes me happy While she was updating his profile on the social site FacebookRead MoreTalking While Driving Persuasive Speech828 Words   |  4 PagesI. Attention Getter: Do you know that talking on the phone while driving, either hand-free or hand held, is more dangerous than driving drunk? According to the National Highway and Transportation Administration, distracted driving had claimed 3,477 lives in 2015 alone. (NHTSA) i. Purpose: In the next few minutes, I want to persuade you that enacting a law regulating talking while driving is necessary. II. Introduction: With the advancement of our technology, calling or texting had been easier andRead MoreDisadvantages Of Phones While Driving1181 Words   |  5 PagesIn the highly advancing world, people use mobile phones as a necessary tool to get through life. Some people rely on mobile phones more than others, but anyone will notice these rectangular devices in the hands of many individuals around the world. Mobile phones have the ability to perform long distance communication, internet surfing, and direct text messaging. These capabilities increase the efficiency of the lives of ordinary people. Although mobile phones assist with everyday tasks, they generallyRead MoreThe Canadian State Of Canada Essay1375 Words   |  6 Pagesunpaved road ways in Canada is around 900,00 km, with almost half of this being comprised of gravel road, 300 thousand km of paved road, 69 thousand km of surface treated road, 66 thousand km of earth roads, 16 thousand km of freeway and 5 thousand km o f roads classified as â€Å"other†. The rail lines in Canada travel through most of the southern parts of Canada and extend into the United States down the Mississippi river to the gulf coast (Glichrist, 2015). Canada also has many ports that they use for transportation