ENG215 Hang Up: It's Not Just Your Life

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1Running head: HANG UP: IT'S NOT JUST YOUR LIFEHang Up: It's Not Just Your LifeBrad GardnerMichael HunterENG215December 13, 2014Discuss the inconsistencies in distracted driving laws across the United States, particularlyfocusing on mobile device use while driving. In your response,analyze the role of age indetermining these laws, compare them to seatbelt laws, and argue whether distracted drivinglaws should be standardized nationwide. Use specific examples and statistics from the providedtext to support your position. (Word count: 600-700 words)

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2HANG UP: IT'S NOT JUST YOUR LIFEHang Up: It's Not Just Your LifeAlthough it appears to be a common sense notion,the differences in laws and regulationsregarding the use of mobile devices while driving are not the same from state to state.No oneperson is a better-distracted driver than the next. Mobile device policies, regulations, and lawsshould not be any different from federal seat belt laws; make them consistent, not subjective.Everyday people can make a change; make better choices, to make a difference in ourlives and the lives of others. People can make a simple decision to hang up our cell phone beforegetting into our car and driving. People can choose not to accidently runover a young childwalking across the street on their way to school due to the distraction of a cell phone. It soundssimple enough to do;yet, every second, someone decides to take that child's life. They decidethat it is more important to answer their phone or reply to a text while driving over the wellbeingof others.Distracted driving and its repercussions have been a growing concern since the first-daydrivers began using mobile devices.The first cellular phones became available for consumer usein the mid-80s. Widespread use was not marked for almost another decade. In the early 90s, lessthan 4.5 million people used cell phones. Over the last 15 or so years the population of cellphoneusers has spiked to over 230 million, according to statistics from the InsuranceInformation Group(cellphonesafety, 2013).With the continuing rise in the number of mobiledevice users, it is only logical to infer that the dangers of distracted driving will continue toescalate. It is a serious problem for drivers, and there is a large discrepancy where our laws areconcerned. The convenience of small hand-held devices should be given a great deal moreattention than it is receiving.

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3HANG UP: IT'S NOT JUST YOUR LIFEWith greater accessibility to technology; there also, should come a greater responsibilityfor correctly using that technology. In today's society, the use of mobile devices has become socommon that over 97% of adults own a cell phone.(Gibson, 2014).People have become tetheredto their technology. The problem is not our dependency on this technology; but, how and wherepeople choose to use this technology. Everyone should drive responsibly and be held accountablefor their actions. There are alreadymany distractions inside and outside the vehicle; such as,eating, drinking, music, passengers, video billboards, or people holding those spinning signs onthe side of the road. All someone has to do in order to recognize distractions is open their eyes.Or they can educate themselves to gain awareness of what distracted driving is and how to avoidit.Distracted drivers come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and forms.Distracted driving is anyactivity that could divert a person's attention away from the primary task of driving.Alldistractions endanger driver,passenger, and bystander safety(NHTSA,n.d.). Drivers mustalways process the information going on around them from street signs to signals, to pedestriansand other vehicles. All of those could be considered a distraction; but, because text messagingrequires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most alarmingdistraction(NHTSA,n.d.).Operating a vehicle is more than turning thekey, putting it in drive,andkeeping itbetween thelines. In orderto drive tosafely, oneneedsto be aware of theirsurroundings, can anticipateto unexpected, andstay focused. According to the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention (CDC)there are three main types of distraction: (1) Visual–taking your eyes off the road, (2) Manual–taking your hands off the wheel, and (3)Cognitive–taking your mind off driving.

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