Response to Topic One: Cell Phone Use While Driving

Because of the obvious risks caused by texting while driving, I think that there should be laws restricting the use of cell phones in the car. According to recent studies by David Strayer, a psychology professor at the University of Utah, only 2% of people can multitask safely enough to text while driving. But many more than that small percentage are guilty of this act, and this is contributing to a growing number of automobile accidents.
Cell phone use while driving has been proven to dramatically increase the chances of an accident. In a recent study, truck drivers were 23.2 times more likely to get in an accident, or a near accident, than if they had not been using their phones at all. Had a law been in effect banning cell phone use while driving, these drivers would have been drastically safer and less likely of getting in an accident.
In order to decrease the number of accidents, I think that Iowa should pass a law prohibiting cell phone use while driving. If there were a law restricting drivers within the age group that texts most, being between the ages of sixteen and thirty, the accident rate would decrease, hopefully dramatically. Those who only have their intermediate license or permits should definitely not be allowed to use a cell phone while driving, but those with a full license could talk on the phone, without texting. Talking on a cell phone is not the biggest danger here, but looking at the phone to text or dial is what really distracts a driver enough to endanger people.
Despite my adamancy, I am sure that even with a law in place, there would still be some drivers who would disregard the rules. Then again, this holds true with any law. But if law makers and law enforcers would make a convincing campaign to stop cell phone use while driving and to obey the laws in effect, I believe that there could be a large decrease in cell phone related automobile accidents. Like the seat belt slogan “Click it or ticket!” I think a bit of wise approach towards enforcing the law could go a long way. There could be commercials on the television that discourage the use of cell phone use while driving like there are already for drinking and driving.