On the Road Off the Phone

Today’s society is driven by the ability to communicate instantaneously. We depend on things like email and text messaging to communicate with employers, friends, and even family. In America this year there will be over a trillion text messages sent. That is equal to about 690,000 texts a minute. That means that by the time you are done reading this article there will have been about 7 million text messages sent. We have become accustomed to getting answers now; we no longer have to wait the four days it would take to receive a letter in the mail. So accustomed in fact that we can no longer wait to get home before emailing or coworker-- Instead we grab or cell phone and text them, while driving home. This act has been dubbed texting while driving and more generally distracted driving.

Distracted Driving is a growing concern among the American public. According to US Department of Transportation, in 2008 distracted driving caused about sixteen percent of automobile related deaths in America and over a half million injuries. Those numbers have been consistently growing since 2004.

Law makers realize there is a problem and are doing what they do best, passing laws banning texting while driving. President Obama has recently passed a law prohibiting federal employs from texting while driving. That law will affect about 4.5 million people. Well what about the other 295 million of us? So far 18 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws banning texting while driving. Are the other 32 states waiting for this to become an epidemic? We have the opportunity to stem the growth of this phenomenon, let us do just that.

While laws are a good start they do not solve the issue entirely. Many people think that they would prefer to take the chance of getting caught in order to maintain the convenience of their cell phone. In a college classroom where cell phone use has been prohibited at least half of the class will be secretly texting under their desks. Why, because they prefer the convenience over the chance of penalty.

Educational programs are the answer. In order to effectively combat the masses of distracted drivers we must get them before they have the opportunity to become distracted drivers; starting with drivers education courses.

Secretary of the US DOT Ray LaHood states before the Distracted Driving Summit, ““We’ve learned from past safety awareness campaigns that it takes a coordinated strategy combining education and enforcement to get results.” The combination of law enforcement and education is the proven method of success.

Incorporating driver awareness about distracted driving into drivers education courses would be inexpensive and very effective. Kathryne a recent graduate of drivers education said “We had to watch a video about what happens when you drive while texting and it was pretty eye opening, you just don’t really think about the consequences of the action.” By making new drivers aware of the issue we cut off the flow of new driver problems and can then focus our resources to making current drivers aware of the dangers.

Programs like “On the Road Off the Phone” are doing just that. They are trying to bring the issue to people’s attention. These programs need our support if we are to ever completely rid ourselves of driving distracted.

So next time you jump into the car just throw your phone into the glove box, or turn it off. Remember On the Road OFF the Phone! Think of the lives you could be saving.