Research And Theoretical Background Paper

Research and Theoretical background paper

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Introduction

In the event of increased use of technology, many benefits can be stated however, there

are increasing dangers along the road. Ignorance and negligence of the stipulated traffic laws has

seen many fatalities due to the use of technology in the youth cohort. There were 1.2million car

crashes in the United States in 2013 that involved drivers talking on the phone and at least

341,000 involved text messages (Araujo, 2017). Cell phones are not just for texting they involve

multiple behaviors such as use of social media, messaging apps, GPS and music have the

potential of drawing attention from the road. This excerpt intends to elucidate on the possible

reasons that leads to the increased number of teenager related road accidents. The bio ecological

model of Bronfenbrenner Ecological Sytems theory will be used to explain the human

environment interaction. The teenager drivers group has been selected for this research to explain

their conduct with the rising number of incidences of road accidents.

Teenage texting and Driving

The current advancement in technology, communication and electronic devices has had a

great effect on our brain chemistry which has a resultant effect on our conduct at a particular

time. Text messages, news alerts, phone calls, GPS directions and other related technological

associated with automobiles has seen the greater population of drivers get distracted from their

main course to pay attention to their gadgets. It is simply wrong to attend to other needs while

driving because of the risks of jeopardizing one’s life and those of others. The inability of the

brain to focus on two distinct activities makes the human body to interact with the environment

that the brain instructs it to interact with (Teen safe, 2018).

Texting and calling while driving has been a rising cause of road accidents with teenagers

being on the forefront. The mind of a person cannot concentrate on two things with equal

attention at one given time. One will prevail while the other will fail. This model is supported by

Bronfenbrenner Ecological Sytems theory which shows the need to comprehend a person’s

development within his/ her environmental surroundings. Lack of understanding of the

immediate environment can cause fatal consequences. His model involved 5 sets of

environments which are microsystems, mesosystems, exosystems, macrosystems and

chronosystems (Berk, 2007).

 Microsystems involves the immediate environment of a person. In this case a mobile

phone and the car may described as the micro system of the teen

 Mesosystem involves the interaction of components of the microsystem which may be

the texting and driving

 Exosystem is the structure that makes up the microsystems like a text message, a phone

call, traffic jam or an advert across the street. These do not directly involve the teen

behind the stirring wheel.

 Macrosystems are the social or cultural ideologies affecting the individuals’ beliefs. For

instance etiquette which might compel a person to believe that failing to return a call is

rude and unethical prompting him/ her to return the call anyway even when driving.

 Chronosystems is where all these systems interact. In this scenario, a teen receives a text

message (Exosystem) from his phone (Microsystem) and is compelled to answer

(macrosystem) by writing back (mesosystem).

The use of mobile phones behind the stirring minimizes the brain activity capacity in relation

to driving by a significant 37 %. This results to the inability to make informed decision on the

road, follow direction, respond to traffic signs and cooperate with fellow drivers. Based on

Bronfenbrenner Ecological Sytems theory, the interaction of the driver with his/ her cell phone

may make the driver to take his/ her hands off the wheel or feet off or onto the pedal which is

described as manual distraction or in the worst case scenario, cognitive distraction where the

driver no longer concentrates with the driving and his eyes gets off the road maybe to the phone.

In split seconds, bang! It’s game over, no replays, no rewinds no retakes, death or fatal injuries.

Being overly confident, in denial or thinking they can multi-task regardless of the

warning signs thrown their way, impulse controls that are not fully developed and the thrill of

risk-taking (Raja, 2017). The hero disease that spreads through most teenagers has made them

want to show off their driving skills, possible driving speed, overtaking where they shouldn’t or

even racing.

Despite the constant and consistent advertisements on television, internet and bill boards

on the road death warning due to negligence of traffic rules, statistics of people dying and others

getting injured and property loss continues to rise with each passing year. This research paper

simply denotes the need for more resilient parenting. Many parents are known to take the hands-

off approach when it comes to their teens behind the wheel. Not wanting to seem uncool or too

strict, many parents choose to remain oblivious to their teens driving habits despite teens

obviously making poor decisions behind the wheel.

References

Araujo M. (2017). Dangers of distracted driving: Definition, stats and risks for teens.

https://www.thebalance.com/distracted-driving-teens-2645865

Berk, L. E. (2000). Child development

Raja D. (2017). 5 reasons behind teens texting and driving.

http://www.momjunction.com/articles/why-do-teens-engage-in-texting-and-

driving_00353170/#gref

Teen safe. (2018). Teens texting and driving: Facts and statistics.

https://www.teensafe.com/blog/teens-texting-and-driving-facts-and-statistics/

Tudge, J. R., Mokrova, I., Hatfield, B. E., & Karnik, R. B. (2009). Uses and misuses of

Bronfenbrenner's bioecological theory of human development. Journal of Family Theory

& Review, 1(4), 198-210.

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