Audra driving and texting

I am torn between the use of cell phones when it comes to the use of them and driving. In some ways cell phones can be used for important things while driving. Things like if you get lost you can call someone, or if there is an emergency and someone has to get a hold of you. There are many reasons that we need cell phones especially while we drive but they also cause accidents as well. Cell phones can be a distraction, to people that are driving. People on their phones seem to concentrate more on the conversation they are having other than where they are driving. Although talking while driving is a huge issue there is a new issue arising. Texting is the newest distraction while driving. Mostly teens and young adults are the guilty ones in this case. While people who are behind the wheel and texting at the same time don’t see it as a big deal others do. The people doing these things don’t realize that what they are doing can affect everyone else around them. Even if you were to only take your eyes off the road for a little while there could be serious consequences. People don’t seem to realize a thing like that till they ram into the back of another person or they are being sent to the hospital because they went off the road and crashed their car. I don’t think that cell phones should be band or anything like that. I think that people should learn when it is okay to text and when it is not okay. For instance, while stopped at a stoplight would be an appropriate time to send a text of when stopped completely. It is not a good idea to send a text while cruising down the highway or interstate. I think people should learn to use their cell phones at convenient times. But I do not feel that they should be banned.

Iowa Law.

When considering the facts about text messaging while driving, it is only logical to ban it. According to Gilbert Cruz and Kristi Oloffsonhe in their article, “Distracted Driving: Should Talking, Texting Be Banned?” the “ . . . Highway Traffic Safety Administration study that identified the cell phone as a serious safety hazard when used on the road” only proves that cell phone use while driving is not a good idea (1). So, if people have a greatly increased chance of dieing because they are text messaging while driving, would not banning it be the smartest thing to do? Iowa needs to create a law that prohibits all drivers of any vehicle from using his or her cell phone. Because dialing and text messaging on a phone while driving both greatly increases the chance of an accident, Iowa should have a law that prohibits those two actions in particular (“Texting Drivers, Tempting Fate” by Randy James, 1). The law should state that no driver of any vehicle is allowed to use his or her phone unless the speakerphone is enabled; therefore, the increased risk of an accident caused by text messaging or manually dialing a telephone number can and will be decrease, at the least. Using a cell phone while driving any type of vehicle – whether car, commercial vehicle, train, or even a trolley – is equally dangerous (James, 1).

response to cell phone use and driving. Trevyn Michels

I think the law in ever state should be that cell phone use while driving should be banded. There have been accidents and ever death from phone use while driving. In the first article it says we are not trained like pilots or astronauts. Everyone says it is ok because their parents do it or their friends do it. Is it really right? Another example is Highway Traffic Safety Administration say that using the cell phone is a serious safety hazard when used on the road. States are starting to agree. 17 states including the District of Columbia voted it to be ban. They want no use of hand held communication devices while behind the wheel. Part of the problem may be that when people turn their attention to music, other people talking, or phone use. This may cause a decrease in visual capacity of their brain. While people are on the phone it may make them not focus on the road.In the second example they say that texting and driving is a lot like drinking and driving. It is band for drivers under 19 and adults with learners permits. How ever in Iowa we do not have any laws inforcing phone use. >Sonalie Patel says, "It's like an epidemic."Nationwide Insurance survey states that 18 percent of cell phone users text and drive. They also say it is mainly from ages 16 to 30. Fatal accidents from coast to coast have happened. Prompting more than 20 states to consider banning the activity of phone use while driving.I have a hard time determining whether or not they are using the speaker phone feature or whether or not they are actually texting," says Christopher Hopf, a police officer in Mendham Borough, N.J.I agree with this. I have seen people talk on the phone that is on speaker and cops have pulled them over asking them if they are texting while driving In the second example it says that truck drivers are more likely to cause a crash then someone on a phone. It also states that it doesn't take much research to figure out that driving and text messaging is not a wise combination.

I think the law in Iowa regarding cell phone usage should be changed. Many drivers, of all ages, talk on the phone or text while driving a vehicle. Cell phones are a huge distraction because the driver must take his or her eyes off the road to dial a number or text a message. At high speeds, even looking away for a second can cause a major problem. As one of the articles stated, while looking away from the road for five seconds at a high speed, the vehicle can travel the length of a football field! Any hazard within that length of time could prove deadly as the driver cannot react. Texting while driving has caused many deaths. It is astonishing to hear about a driver who has killed someone while texting and driving, like the train driver who killed about thirty people while texting his girlfriend. Many drivers believe that they are talented enough to text and drive because they do not have to look at the phone to text. They do not realize their peripheral vision has been depleted because they are concentrating on the phone.
The articles stated that most laws on cell phone usage have been targeted at sixteen to thirty year olds. Because of this, police officers are having a difficult time enforcing the laws because they do not know who is within the law and who is not. I think that these laws should be changed so that texting is illegal for everyone, not just the younger generation. It is just as difficult for someone outside this age limit to text and drive as it is for the people in it. It is just as much of a distraction. Police officers also do not know how to tell if someone is texting because it can look like a person is just using the speaker option and talking on the phone.
Texting should be illegal in Iowa because it would save the lives of many people and make our roads safer. Not only are these texting drivers harmful to others, but they are harmful to themselves too. For example, someone who stops at a stop sign and sends a quick text to a friend might not see the uncontrollable truck coming at him, and he would not be able to move out of the way. A law against texting would save a lot of people and make us all feel a little safer.

Emily K's Texting and Driving

I believe that there should be no changes made to the laws. On the other hand though, I think that there is a certain time and place for people to text. In my opinion texting is ok as long as there is a good reason behind it. I know that it is not right to text my friends and talk about silly things while I am driving. I was very glad though when my car was acting funny and I could text my brother and ask him to fix it when he got off of work. If there is a specific reason to send a text then it is ok in my opinion. Another thing that makes texting ok is placement. When I am at a stoplight or stop sign, I will text, but if I am in the middle of a busy intersection I choose not to check my phone. When I am at a stoplight or stop sign it does not really harm anyone if I am texting or not. My car is not moving, so what wrong is being done? I understand that most vehicular accidents are caused by using cell phones while driving, but were those people being smart about how and when they were texting? Who knows, maybe they were texting while merging onto the interstate. If people were wise about using their cell phones, there would be less accidents and fewer deaths per year. Everyone can control himself or herself, and everyone can make good choices. The fact of the matter is that most people do not think about how what they are doing can harm everyone else. All it takes is one person not paying attention to the road, and the next thing you know five people are being sent to the hospital in the back of an ambulance. Overall, I believe that texting while driving is okay, as long as the driver can still be in charge. Cell phones should not take over our lives, but the occasional text probably will not do any damage as long as the driver is in a spot where it is safe to send a text, and has a good reason for sending it.

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.

Clarissa Craig - Texting

I believe that text messaging should be banned in not only in Iowa, but also everywhere. It is not a safe action, and common usage of cell phones and driving can be fatal. Personally, I give my phone to my passenger, or co-pilot, if I need to communicate with anyone outside of the car. I must admit when I see someone driving while using his or her phones, I become very nervous. In the article, Texting Drivers, Tempting Fate by Randy James, “In September, 25 people were killed when a California train engineer struck a freight train after texting a friend” is a horrible example of the dangers involved. There are so many instances where people are injured, killed, or cause damage to something because they feel like they have to text message someone right away. It is scary to think that a person distracted with his or her cell phones could kill anyone of us. I do not want to be forced to watch out for distracted drivers. If there is a way to prevent accidents, then we, as a society, should do it.
I agree strongly with the article, except for one point. Why are beginner drivers the only ones targeted against for cell phone usage? The article Text-Messaging Behind the Wheel by Sarah N. Lynch explains, “a ban on cell phone use for drivers under 19 and adults with learners permits,” which is the state law in Illinois. Does something magical happen when we turn 20 that enable us to be more capable of using cell phones and driving? I doubt it. It really does not make any sense to me. Adults are always complaining that they do not understand today’s technology. If adults do not understand how to use technology, like cell phones, then they are probably even more dangerous than teens. Even if someone has been driving for twenty years, they are still capable of becoming distracted while driving. If there is a ban, it should not be on an age group when it comes to safety and driving.

Kasi Texting and Driving

Kasi-Texting and Driving

I like the idea of changing Iowa’s law on cell phone usage. I just think that if they will make a law involving it, it should just outlaw texting. According to the articles I read it states that texting was the main cause for accidents and it is texting that makes drivers lose concentration on the road.
I will admit I have drove and texted at the same time. Most people have to do something while they are driving, because majority of drivers get bored behind the wheel and need something to do. Most people, including myself, just talk on the phone. I do not fully agree that talking on the phone is as distracting as texting is, but they are both hazardous. I also feel that many people need their phones in case of an emergency, to get a hold of loved ones, and to make appointments of deal with daily activities.
With most of us teenagers, were not allowed to use our phones in school and a majority of us work right after school. With what little time we do have and are able to use our phones is while driving. Take me for example, my parents live in Florida and they work nights so the only time I am able to talk to them is right after school or while I am driving to work. If they outlaw the use of cell phones in general then what am I to do? I do not think that I lose a lot of concentration while talking on the phone, in reality talking on the phone makes me realize I need to concentrate harder on the road so I do not get into trouble
I think it would be easier to obey the law if they just restricted it to text messaging while driving. By telling people that cell phone usage in cars is illegal, drivers are still going to do it. In the article, “Text-Messaging Behind the Wheel,” it explained how it is hard to enforce the texting laws because it is hard to prove that drivers are actually using their phones for texting.

Heidi Texting and Driving

I believe that text messaging should be banned everywhere. It is a big problem in today’s society due to text messaging becoming so popular. As said in the articles text messaging is very distracting and could be fatal when trying to drive. I am guilty of text messaging while driving even though I know that it is dangerous. People don’t realize the dangers of texting and driving until they have seen it first hand or happen close to them. This summer a girl from Hanover was between Savanna and Hanover and got in an accident. The reason was texting. She was paying attention to her phone and when she look but she was on the wrong side of the road. She over corrected and wrecked. I work with some people that were friends with her and I learned how they now feel about texting and driving. They say they will never do it again. I say that too but I continue to do it.
Being a teenager, it is hard to avoid the temptation of a ringing cell phone. Teens want to know what is going on and don’t want to miss anything. I believe that if the laws were better enforced teens would stop texting and driving. It is hard to enforce such a law. Like one of the articles said, it is hard to tell if someone is texting while driving. Most people text in their laps not where anyone can see. Most teens will say that it is ok for them to text and drive because they don’t have to look at their phones while texting. I don’t need to but at the end of a text I do look to make sure it is right. That split second of distraction could make a difference.
So in my opinion texting and driving should be banned for everyone. Adults are just as easily distracted as teens. It doesn’t matter if you can text without looking or not. When you are driving your phone should be out of sight and out of mind so your main focus is the road. I think if the law can enforce it the road can be a safe place.

Chelsea Roe

Having and using a cell phone these days seem to be people’s first priority. How many people today can not go a day with out using or having their cell phone? These devices have become harmful in everyday life. Using cell phones while you are driving is not only hazardous for yourself, but also to others on the road. When people are text messaging or dialing a number they are not paying attention to the road. In the 5 seconds that it takes for us to text a person or dial a number we can easily harm many others. Some states have laws against using cell phones or just text messaging and I agree with the. It is not too hard to pull on to the shoulder to make a phone call or just simply wait. There are so many car accidents due to using cell phones that could have been avoided if we just pull over.
I was watching the news one day and they were covering a story on the use of cell phones while driving. While I was watching they had shown a you-tube video of a re enactment of a car accident as a result of a teenager using her cell phone. The video I viewed was very graphic and showed how your mistake can affect others. In the video the young women who was driving had survived but her friends who were with her had not. Would you be able to live knowing that you killed your friends?
I feel that at the moment we should not use cell phones while driving because it is harmful to everyone on the road. I admit I do sometimes use my cell phone while driving, but if it is an emergency then what else are you supposed to do. Technology these days are advancing so possibly someday soon they will come up with something that will allow us to use our cell phones and drive at the same time with out being dangerous.

N8-Texting

The use of cell phones is a very huge controversy today. Everywhere and anywhere you see people using their cellular devices. In most cases, cell phones can be harmful. For instance, text messaging and talking on the phone while driving have been proven to put you at a higher risk of crashing. Hearing about some of these crashes on the news lets you know how serious this controversy is. Especially since using your phone while driving is way more serious than drinking and driving.

Every time I drive somewhere I usually see at least a couple people talking on their cell phones when I pass them as I drive. It just puts the whole thing into perspective and gives me the visual I need that proves that many people use their phones when they drive. I’m not going to lie; I usually talk on my cell phone as a drive too. I never think of it as being hazardous but when I hear about the bad car accidents that come as an outcome to talking and driving, I need to think of a better thing to do. The laws stating that people shouldn’t be able to use their cell phones while they drive is outrageous in my opinion. You could always need your cell phone on you in case of emergencies. I know we can try our best to pull over and talk on the phone, but frankly, if I were in an emergency, I wouldn’t want to pull over. As technology is increasing now days, can’t we find something that could help us communicate with a hand-held phone?

I know the risk of text messaging or talking on the phone while driving, but how are we going to stop it. By making it a law, police will have to enforce the law under their own discretion and I don’t see how that is very possible. It will be very hard for law enforcers to enforce this law with evidence. I don’t know what my idea of stopping this practice is besides just a little common sense. We are all on the road for a reason, to get to the place we need to go as soon as possible. We don’t need to carry another factor, like text messaging or talking on the phone while driving, when we can just wait until we are off the road and safe. By practicing this we can all become better drivers and with that, result in less car accidents.