ENG215 Hang Up: It's Not Just Your Life

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Hang Up1Running head:HANG UP: IT'S NOT JUST YOUR LIFEHang Up: It's Not Just Your LifeBrad GardnerMichael HunterENG215November 19, 2014In the essay "Hang up: It's not just your life," the author discusses the dangers of distracteddriving, particularly focusing on the use of mobile devices whiledriving. Considering thedisparities in laws across different states, the author argues for federal consistency in distracteddriving regulations. Based on the evidence and arguments presented, what are the main reasonsthe author believes distracted driving laws should be standardized nationwide? Do you agree ordisagree with this position, and why? Use specific examples from the essay to support yourviewpoint.Word Count Requirement:Your response should be between 700 and 800 words.

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Hang Up2HANG UP: IT'S NOT JUST YOUR LIFEHang up: It's not just your lifeAlthough it appears to be a common sense notion,the differences in laws and regulationsregarding the use of mobile devices while driving are not the same from state to state.No oneperson is a better-distracted driver than the next. Mobile device policies, regulations, and lawsshould not be any different from federal seat belt laws; make them consistent, not subjective.Every day we can make a change; make better choices, to make a difference in our livesand the lives of others. We can make a simple choice to hang up our cell phone before getting inour car and driving. We can choose not to accidently run over a young child walking across thestreet on their way to school due to the distraction of a cell phone. It sounds simple enough to do;yet, every second, someone decides to take that child's life. They decide that it is more importantto answer their phone or reply to a text while driving over the wellbeing of others.Distracted driving and its repercussions have been a growing concern since the first-daydrivers began using mobile devices.The first cellular phones became available for consumer usein the mid-80s. Widespread use was not marked for almost another decade. In the early 90s, lessthan 4.5 million people used cell phones. Over the last 15 or so years the population of cellphoneusers has spiked to over 230 million, according to statistics from the InsuranceInformation Group(cellphonesafety, 2013).With the continuing rise in the number of mobiledevice users, it is only logical to infer that the dangers of distracted driving will continue toescalate. It is a serious problem for drivers, and there is a large discrepancy where our laws areconcerned. The convenience of small hand-held devices should be given a great deal moreattention than it is receiving.

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Hang Up3HANG UP: IT'S NOT JUST YOUR LIFEWith greater accessibility to technology; there also, should come a greater responsibilityon properly using that technology. In today’s society, the use of mobile devices has become socommon that over 97% of adults own a cell phone.(Gibson, 2014).People have become tetheredto their technology. The problem is not our dependency to this technology; but, how and wherewe choose to use this technology. Everyone should drive responsibly and be held accountable fortheir actions. There are already manydistractions inside and outside the vehicle; such as, eating,drinking, music, passengers, video billboards, or people holding those spinning signs on the sideof the road. All someone has to do in order to recognize distractions is open their eyes. Or theycaneducate themselves to gain awareness about what distracted driving is and how to avoid it.Distracted drivers come in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and forms.Distracted driving is anyactivity that could divert a person's attention away from the primary task of driving.Alldistractions endanger driver,passenger, and bystander safety(NHTSA,n.d.). Drivers mustconstantly process the information going on around them from street signs to signals, topedestrians and other vehicles. All of those could be considered a distraction; but, because textmessaging requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the mostalarming distraction(NHTSA,n.d.).Operating a vehicle is more than turning thekey, putting itin drive,andkeeping itbetween thelines. In orderto drive tosafely, oneneedsto be aware oftheir surroundings, can anticipateto unexpected, andstay focused. According to the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention (CDC)there are three main types of distraction: (1) Visual–taking your eyes off the road, (2) Manual–taking your hands off the wheel, and(3) Cognitive–taking your mind off driving.

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