When individuals choose to talk on their cell phones while driving, they have a tendency to hold up other drivers and not pay attention to traffic laws, thus making other drivers frustrated. Too many times we have found ourselves behind a driver that just so happens to be talking on his/her cell phone and driving ten to fifteen miles per hour below the speed limit. Getting behind cell phone users leads other drivers to become angry and frustrated with the individual who chooses to engage in a phone conversation while sitting behind the wheel. A driver cannot devote all of their attention to driving when they are engaging in cell phone usage.
Just like talking on any phone, the use of a cell phone while driving causes a driver’s mind to become too easily distracted. As a result of talking on a cell phone while driving, the chance of causing an accident greatly increases. When someone chooses to make a phone call on their cell phone, they are forced to take their eyes completely off from the road and at least one hand off the wheel to reach and dial the phone. Unfortunately, I am guilty of doing this very thing. While driving I reached for my cell phone on the passenger side floor board. As I was reaching, I inadvertently crossed the middle lane of the road and hit a full sized truck. Due to the seriousness of the accident I had three plates put into my arm, a plate put into my femur, tore two of the three ligaments in my knee, and had a mild head injury. This was all because I chose to make a phone call while driving. Because of the poor choice I chose to make that day I know I will suffer and be disabled for the remainder of my lifetime.
In the past twenty years the government has managed to change the way many Americans drive. Seat belts are now worn, people commonly appoint designated drivers when a group is drinking, and most drivers use their headlights when it is raining. Enforcing laws to prohibit the use of a cell phone while driving can work too. The problem is that our roads are not safe to drive on due to people carelessly using their cell phones while they are driving. They are more concerned about conversations that can wait than they are about driving. The government must enforce a law to prohibit the use of cell phones while driving.
As stated earlier, there are only a few states that have a law in effect banning cell phone usage while driving. Each state must put a law banning cell phone usage while driving in effect before more lives are lost. This law would be enforced by police officers and judges. One way police officers could do this is by setting up a cell phone trap similar to the ones they do when looking for individuals who do not follow the seat belt law. These people will be automatically pulled over and issued a citation. Another way to enforce this law is by having other drivers on the roadway report cell phone abusers to 911. Also if a police officer happens to see a driver talking on their cell phone during their normal course of work, they will pull the offender over and issue them a citation.
When someone chooses to drive and talk on their cell phone they will be punished in the following ways. The first offense would result in a fine of $150 and 2 points on their license. The second offense would result in a $300 fine and 3 more points on their license. After the third offense, the offender’s license would be revoked for two years and would receive a fine of $1,500. If the offender is responsible for causing a car accident while using their cell phone, they will be prosecuted, fined for up to $10,000 and subject to up to fifteen years in prison. If the accident resulted in the loss of another’s life, the driver would be prosecuted for involuntary manslaughter and could serve up to life in prison. The government has changed the way many Americans drive through other traffic laws that Americans must follow, so why not put one more law into place that can save many lives. Life is precious and the consequences of using a cell phone while driving should not be taken lightly.
Cell phone usage while driving must be outlawed in each state of the United States because it causes great danger not only to drivers and the passengers in that driver’s car, but possibly also to the many other bystanders and cars that are on the path to that driver’s destination. Choosing to use a cell phone while driving causes many distractions and frustrated drivers. The government must put a law into effect to stop the use of cell phones while driving. Way too many people are being killed and injured when someone chooses to make the poor choice of using their cell phone while driving. Why jeopardize your life as well as others, because you are more interested in talking on your cell phone than you are you are in paying attention to the road and others while on your way to your destination? So, do yourself and others a favor and hang up and drive.