Gizaw 2
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving includes a range of activities drivers engage in that removes their focus
from the road. Although smartphones have brought convenience, they are a major safety risk
especially when a person feels the urge to check a text or mail while behind the wheel. At one
point in a single day, approximately 700,000 people use their phones while operating their
vehicles resulting in a number of road carnages (Edgar Snyder & Associates). This has led to the
formulation of strict laws against the use of cell phones or handheld gadgets across states
creating a wave of mixed reactions and a split population against and for having the laws at the
federal level. This paper demonstrates why these laws are not necessary and provides better
efficient alternatives to curb this problem.
The world we live in today is one that is characterized by instant notifications which
many people are easily distracted by. As a result a large number of accidents have been recorded
and consequently the number of casualties. In the country, almost 10 people each day are killed
and about a thousand sustain injuries from crashes associated with distracted driving (Teensafe).
In the year 2016, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated the number of
deaths resulting from distracted driving at 3,450 that year alone. In response to these epidemic
many states adopted laws disallowing cell phone use on the road
Is the ban of cell phones really necessary? Back in 2012, the then Transportation
Secretary, Ray LaHood called for tough federal laws that would ban the use of phones while
driving. Secretary Ray LaHood was aware of 38 states that had effective laws that did not allow
drivers to use their cell phones while driving and was calling for the same thing at the federal
level. Although Secretary LaHood’s suggestions did not transform into law the thought itself had
many lips mumbling. The initial thoughts about these laws is unnecessary especially at the
