Research+-+Distracted+Driving

November 11, 2010

Distracted Driving Laws: Helping or Hurting Drivers? It is no secret; today’s society has taken over the text message fad and brought it to a whole new level. Kids, teenagers, and parents alike all seem to have some form of texting today, which can be good for communication but also very bad if used without responsibility. It allows an easier form of communication between people when one cannot call, however when texting is used when one is not supposed to or is occupied, it can be a fatal mistake. Many believe they are plenty capable to multitask while driving – switch the radio station, text, make phone calls, changes CDs, talk to friends, and almost anything else to keep their attention diverted from solely on the road. There have been laws set up recently in most states in the United States, banning the use of texting while driving or anything else law enforcement deems “distracting”. There have been mixed views of whether these laws are really helping reduce crashes, or actually making the situation worse.

Texting-while-driving laws have been very popular lately, as they are springing up in new states throughout the country. The big question is, however, are these laws helping the growing problem of distracted driving or hurting it? Ashby Jones says, “Laws in certain states have been put in effect and enforced for drivers that are texting; however not many are acknowledging theses laws” (Jones). The whole point of the laws that are being put in place is to not only save the life of the “texter”, but also the lives of all the drivers around that person. Consequently, there have been more wrecks since those laws were put into effect, which is the result of individuals who choose to ignore these laws and instead of quitting texting while driving, are now trying to hide their phones from law enforcement officers which cause an even further distraction from the road and their surroundings (Jones). Enforcement for the growing problem is very tricky because it is ultimately a judgment on the police officer’s part on whether or not one is texting or being distracted while they drive. Technology and time will provide these officers a better means to execute their duties and crack down on distracted drivers which will hopefully provide safer streets and fewer fatalities in vehicles.

There have been many individuals today that take a more psychological approach to the texting-while-driving issue. These individuals break down the problems of driving distracted and assign them to categories which allows for better analysis of what distracted-while-driving really is. “Psychologists have classified four categories of distraction while one is driving: visual, audible, physical, and cognitive”, stated psychologist John Grohol (Grohol). Visual distractions include anything where one is focused on something other than the road, like looking at a dog on the side of the road instead of the cars in front them. Audible distractions can be anything from the radio, an IPod, a cell phone, or just a friend talking. Physical distractions are also a growing distraction and problem while driving with things like eating and drinking. Cognitive distractions are issues that require one to think deeply about something other than driving, like when one is tired, or worried about an upcoming interview (Grohol). These four distractions portray the realism of distracted driving and the damage it can cause on any individual. Grohol suggests, “Research has been done that demonstrates each type of distraction can result in its own problems while driving. Visual distractions are more likely to lead to a steering problem while cognitive distractions might lead to keeping less distance between you and the vehicle in front of you”(Grohol). Psychologists focus on the fact that humans are not good at concentrating on a single (somewhat boring) task for lengthy periods of time. The psychological approach to the texting-while-driving situation gives a different perspective and puts things in clearer view to drivers that are not convinced of the growing problem. Also, it notes that the while humans do have the ability for multitasking, it is not to be done while driving a vehicle.

There have been multiple surveys done pertaining to students that drive and whether they believe that texting while driving can lead to a fatal accident as compared to drinking while driving and if laws should be put place and executed in for texting while driving. “The survey provides views from both teens who admit to texting while driving and those of teens who do not text while they drive”, says Sandy Smith (Smith). The result was fewer believed that texting while driving was just as dangerous of distractions as being intoxicated, which would explain the large number of wrecks that are associated with cell phones in today’s society (Smith). Also, it explains why many teenagers are ignoring the laws that have been established in certain states and continue to text while driving a vehicle regardless of these laws. Teenagers and young adults do not all fully comprehend what could be the outcome of their actions. Fatal crashes happen daily throughout the United States and a growing number of them have been because of cell phone use or other distractions while driving which is all the more reason law enforcement feels the need to intervene. These laws are put in place for strictly safety purposes. Texting and other distractions are daily rituals and thought of as small problems which can cause very large problems. Distractions like these can always be avoided by simply waiting until one reaches their destination and can safely engage the distracting activity without the possibility of causing harm to themselves and possibly others.

Texting-while-driving and other distractions are becoming a large concern in today’s society for many people. The laws that are put in place against these distractions are to be taken just as seriously as any other law. The laws will soon be nationwide and also will be improved, hopefully to take the judgment issue off the officer’s hands. Vehicle wrecks will always be a part of everyday life in the United States; however they can be significantly decreased if individuals would obey the laws made to protect them. The text message has taken over American communication and completely changed the way people communicate and how often that communication occurs. With this trend that has consumed almost all Americans come problems that can cause severe consequences when used inappropriately – while driving. The text or distraction can always wait until one reaches their destination, and it may end up saying a life. The laws that are currently in place are questionable at best, with good reasoning behind them, however not a good means of enforcement. With time the laws will improve and technology will provide a better way to enforce these laws and save lives. These laws are a good beginning providing a place to build on and improve.