Research Paper-Cell Phones and Driving
Puneeth Paladugu
At any given daylight moment across America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving, a number that has held steady since 2010. Teens are always on their phones these days and they want to be on their phones while driving. Five seconds is the average time your eyes are off the road while texting. When traveling at 55mph, that's enough time to cover the length of a football field blindfolded. For teens this time is even higher and this can load collisions and injuries.
The Distracted Driving Foundation is a non-profit organization that is based on a single rule. All mobile phone carriers dance and car makers should put technology in all phones and automobiles that blocks in easy view of drivers when moving, but not phones held by passengers. They believe that phone calls to drivers’ phones while moving should be screened by a voice prompt that says: “The person you called appears to be driving. Is this call important or can I take a message?” Technology gave us fast, convenient wireless communication, Technology can make it safer to use. This is their core belief.
Another organization Is TADD(Teens Against Distracted Driving). The TADD program’s objective is to educate teens about the dangers of driving while being distracted .Teens Against Distracted Driving was founded by Seattle car accident lawyer Jason Epstein. Jason started TADD to encourage and promote safe driving practices by everyone, but especially the youngest drivers, who are also the ones most likely to text while driving.Teens from all around Seattle help out by creating posters and fliers. TADD also encourages teens to make a pledge to not text and drive.
Another thing that can be done to help prevent texting while driving is making cell phone companies to not allow text messages to get through when the satellite recognizes that they are going over 50mph or 60mph. This at least makes sure that drivers will not be able to text on an interstate road. This can prevent or at least decrease major speed accidents. The technology required for this may not be available to every cell phone carrier though.
I can encourage people to not text and drive at the same time by not texting and driving myself thereby setting an example. I can also suggest when I see a teen text and drive, that they should not do it. I can maybe put of posters or fliers around around school about distracted driving. I can start a club at school about safe driving.