Exordium: Several states have issued laws that regulate the use of a cell phone while driving. Many states require a hands-free device for talking on a cell phone while driving. Recently, texting while driving has been outlawed in several states. These laws attempt to limit the distractions caused by cell phones in an effort to prevent accidents. However, talking on the phone while driving not only creates a physical distraction, but it also creates a cognitive distraction. Although these laws help reduce accidents related to cell phone usage while driving, they do not solve the problem of drivers being distracted from cell phone usage.
Narrative: There are people who believe that talking on a hands-free device while driving is safe. However, holding a conversation requires cognitive functions. The process requires mental engagement which can be a distraction while driving. For this reason, it is not enough to limit phone conversations to hands-free devices. To eliminate distractions and create a safer driving environment, motorists should not have conversations on the phone while driving.
Partition: All states must pass and enforce laws that prevent motorists from holding a conversation on a cell phone regardless of the type of device being used. In addition, all motorists should be informed of the dangers of driving while holding a phone conversation.
Peroration: No phone call is important enough to cause an accident and put others and the motorist at risk. Laws that require a hands-free device are really doing all motorists and passengers a disservice. The cognitive process that is required to carry on a conversation is a distraction. Laws that limit conversations to hands-free devices do not inform citizens of the dangers of driving while holding a conversation. This leads citizens to believe that there is no danger in carrying on a conversation while driving. Without a question, laws need to be established and enforced that prohibit the use of a cell phone, hands-free or not, to create a safer driving environment for everyone on the road.
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That's a good point. Even though you don't have to hold the phone your mind is still not totally focused on driving. I see your experiment went well, that's good. It was fun!
ReplyDeleteI agree, but how can you enforce this? Talking on the phone, hands-free, is similar or even less dangerous than talking to a passenger or stopping the kids from fighting in the backseat. There isn't a way to eliminate all cognitive distractions, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ruth, it seems like it'd be too difficult to try to enforce this. I know there are laws on not talking or texting while driving, but that is too hard to enforce and I know most everyone still doesn't follow those laws. I agree, that talking on the phone regardless might cause more distractions, but even listening to the radio can be defined as a distraction. There are too many distractions on the road in general, we can't create a law to stop everything, and even if we tried I think it'll be way too hard to enforce it.
ReplyDeleteGreat job picking a "hot topic" that everyone is concerned with and somewhat knowledgeable in. It is a very imporant issue because it influences life and death for anyone on the road. You would think such a powerful issue would have a more enforcable solution.
ReplyDeleteI agree that cell phones are a huge distraction while driving. Lately, I have noticed when I am sitting next to a police car at an intersection, they are on their laptops that come equipped in their patrol cars. I thought cell phones were a distraction, but a laptop? I understand that they need it for their job, but how can they enforce something when they are equally or even more distracted?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it, Jasmine!
ReplyDeleteRuth and Sammie, I agree that there isn't a practical way to enforce this--not that I have found anyway. However, studies that I have looked at show that talking to a passenger is less dangerous because the passenger is aware of the driving conditions and usually knows when to zip it. However, holding a conversation on the phone does not allow the other party to assess the driving conditions. There are tons of other distractions that other studies have looked at as well. I am not saying that everyone will always be free of distractions when driving because that is impossible. However, I do hope that people will become more aware of distractions that they have control over such as talking on the phone, and I hope that people eliminate as many of those distractions as possible, but this is wishful thinking.
Hillary, I completely agreed with you! I see the cops typing away and looking up stuff all the time! I feel the same!