It is obvious that cell phones are a staple in today’s society. This point is proven when my statistics professor questions the class for an example, he says ‘raise your hand if you do not have a cell phone on you right now,’ and of over 120 students not a single hand is raised. They are a commodity and we use them to communicate, to listen to music, and to go online. A cell phone craze that came out only a few years ago has now surpassed the popularity of the phone’s original use, making calls.
Text messaging is everywhere. People walking, people driving, people socializing, people doing anything are texting. It has become the go to communication for teens and adults alike and it’s taking over the world. Texting is direct and to the point and that’s why many people prefer it to the pressure of calling someone.
Recently the dangers of multitasking with a cell phone have become more evident. Though specific statistics of text messaging involved in car related accidents have not been calculated, there are a number of accidents related to cell phone use reported every day. Each state has its own laws as far as driving and cell phone use but many fail to control it at all. According to the Government Highway Safety Association, only 5 states and Washington D.C. have a ban on driving with a handheld phone; as well only 5 states have a ban on text messaging while driving. Alaska, Louisiana, Minnesota, New Jersey, and Washington are the only states who have taken initiative to prevent text messaging related car accidents. If you ask me this is a good start however it is going to be difficult for a police officer to be able to spot a driver text messaging. I am startled to know that the same number of states bans driving and talking on the phone as driving and texting on the phone. Texting is much more dangerous than just talking because it requires you to take your eyes off the road.
Recently the most tragic locomotive accident occurred and it is said to be linked to the operator text messaging. Also five teenagers in upstate New York were killed recently in a text messaging related car accident. Currently legislators in that area are passing a text messaging ban. Texting while driving is dumb. I do not have text messaging, but I would never dream of thinking it would be safe to do so while driving. People need to start using their common sense, and they need to realize that taking their eyes of the road for even a millisecond can have serious repercussions. Vito J. Pinto, chairman of the Public Safety and Security Committee of New York’s Westchester County Board of Legislature agrees saying, “It may be cool in their minds, but it just distracts, I think even more than a cellphone. There are an awful lot of young people who feel that it’s O.K. to put the machine on their steering wheel and drive.”
Article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/20/us/20messaging.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1&ref=technology
External sources:
http://www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/14/nyregion/nyregionspecial2/14legiswe.html?ref=us
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