For Prof James

Standardizing the Use of Cell Phones While Driving

Student’s Name: Brandy Mallette

Professor’s Name: Stacey Atiyeh

Course Title: ENG 215: Research And Writing

Date: 05 November 2017

Standardizing the Use of Cell Phones While Driving

Driving is an activity very different from using a cell phone. These two activities are also independent of each other. Driving requires the maximum attention of the driver as he or she is required not only to be aware of what is happening within the vehicle but also around the vehicle. In addition to this, he or she should also be able to react quickly to unexpected events and to the environment, for example; the driver in foront makes a sudden stop, or a deer runs out into the road- quick reaction time is imperative. If the driver was looking away from the road even for a split second, disaster would be eminent. In the face of the growing dependency with the usage of cell phones, the safety of all the motorists and pedestrians should be the top priority and regulations should be standardized regarding the usage of cell phones while operating a vehicle.

Even though driving may seem to be a simple task, we have realized that it requires full attention and focus. The dynamism of the road and its environments demands that a driver stay focused to avoid veering off the road, hitting oncoming vehicles or even being hit by other vehicles and also hitting other road users, e.g. pedestrians, cyclists, scatters, etc. (Heath, 2007). A few seconds of viewing a phone screen may not seem to be much. However, unexpected events such sudden slowdowns and making unexpected turns by other motorists especially those in front, change of traffic lights and failure in-car systems may make the two seconds be the difference between life and death. Therefore, the rules of the road have to apply. There should be standard regulations about the usage of cell phones during driving as people usually do not care for the rules if not punished or forced to do this. Their behavior should be regulated at priority (Romeo, 2012).

Contemporary research on the risks involved in using a cell phone while driving has of late taken centre stage with Suarez (2009) being one of these researchers who documented that cell phone usage raises risk while driving. The major aspect brought about by this study is that the use of cell phones deprives the activity of driving much concentration or attention and there could be lapses in taking actions for the two activities because of the imbalances in multitasking. The rules are out there and stated on safe driving. We would say that nation have different rules for driving. However, one thing is for sure that all nations advocate for a stop in the usage of cell phones while driving. Research done by McCartt et al. (2006) indicates that drivers commonly use phones while driving and this behavior is, in fact, increasing instead of reducing as most of us would expect. I, therefore, suggest that full compliance with these laws would require a standardization of the rules and regulations. On standardizing these regulations, the following issues must be looked into; teen’s high rate of cell phone usage, leadership goodwill on supporting these regulations and people’s response towards these laws.

Looking at the first issue, i.e. the rate at which the teenagers use cell phones, we would say that the active youths are the ones prone to use their phones for long hours within a day. This is because they are much involved in the social lifestyle as opposed to the elderly. They would, therefore, text call, chat and browse for long hours even while carrying out more attention seeking activities such as driving, studying and even worshipping. Strayer and Frank (2004) indicate that the younger generation tends to be much involved in the usage of phones while they drive thus are more destructed as their interest towards socializing online increases their attention towards using their cell phones as opposed to driving. One other problem that we face is the leadership’s goodwill in supporting these regulations. Standardizing these laws will mean that all states and counties will be operating under this one umbrella. The regulations on usage of cell phones while driving will apply equally to all the stakeholders involved. When every state agrees that they are party to the standardized regulations and no efforts are seen by them implementing and putting these regulations into force, then the standardization aspect will just be a shadow of itself. A similar situation has been indicated by Richtel and Matt (2015) where promotion of car phones are in top gear irrespective of the risks associated with such a development. Standardizing the regulations is not to help a few or some stakeholders but all of them. The individuals who can ensure that the regulations come into play are the leaders of these states. This is because they are also the lawmakers of these states. By accepting to these regulations, it indicates that the leadership has made the laws on cell phone usage and driving. If they do not implement these laws, then the whole process of standardization would not be complete.

The last issue involved in this case is the people’s response towards these laws. People are slow while responding to change. When they are forced to change, they counter this action with resistance and non-adherence to the new systems introduced. There are the individuals whom these regulations will affect, and these are the drivers, in their different capacities. When they show no commitment to these processes, then we know for sure that implementing the regulations will be almost impossible. It is very difficult to tell when one is using a phone while inside the vehicle. Most drivers will decide to dodge the law by switching to hands-free phones and still use the cell phones while driving (McCartt et al., 2006).

Conclusion

That we as a country must think of the safety of all the motorists and pedestrians, which should be the top priority and regulations should be standardized regarding the usage of cell phones while operating a vehicle. The issues that could hinder this process can be solved by ensuring that the entire country is involved effectively. A mere acceptance by each state that they support the idea of standardizing the regulations and joining the league is not enough. The laws must be the same and the punishments must be strong enough to tempt the users to park their phones while driving. They should enforce these regulations and always be seen to doing so. The youthful generation should be made aware of the impacts of using cell phones while driving so that they see the logical reasons behind enforcement of such laws. They should also be counseled on how to manage their social lifestyle so that it doesn’t interfere with the other aspects of their lives. Lastly, all stakeholders should be involved in the whole process of standardizing these laws to attain maximum commitment on their implementation and enforcement. Involvement of drivers will then ensure a proper transition of change.

References

Heath, A.M. (2007). The Impact of Cell Phone Classification and Experience on Driver Distraction. Morgantown, W. Va.: West Virginia U Libraries.

McCartt, A.T. et al. (2006). Cell phones and driving

Richtel and Matt. (2015). Promoting the Car Phone, Despite Risks. The New York Times. The New York Times.

Romeo, L. W. (2012). Safe driving and standardization of cell phone regulations. Daily Sun.

Strayer, D. L. and Frank A. D. (2004). Profiles in Driver Distraction: Effects of Cell Phone Conversations On Younger And Older Drivers. Human Factors: The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 48.4 2004. PP: 640-49.

Suarez, R. (2009). Cell Phone Use Raises Risks While Driving, Studies Show. Cell Phone Use Raises Risks While Driving, Studies Show. PBS.