Distracted Driving is not a game

1. Distracted Driving is not a game By: Jordan Newton

2. Driving Laws in Utah The state of Utah has strict laws against texting while driving and lenient laws to an All Cell Phone Ban These laws prevent novice drivers, or those less than 18 years of age, from using a cell phone while driving. However it permits those who 18 years or older, disregarding their experience, to use a cell phone while driving.

3. What are the risks? • There have been many studies to show that distracted driving is dangerous. • At the University of Utah, a study was conducted showing that drivers cannot pay close enough attention to the road when they are using a cell phone. • The mental workload of a driver is increased when using a cell phone which can cause them to miss objects that are directly in front of them, like a sign, or a pedestrian.

4. What are the risks cont. • The Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M compared the differences between manual text messaging and voice-to-text messaging. • 43 participants drove a closed course, first without the use of any devices. The second time they drove the same course while using traditional text messaging. One last time they drove the course while using voice-to-text messaging. Researcher measured the time it took each driver to complete the assigned tasks, and noted the information. It took the driver twice as long to react while using either of the messaging forms than it took them while driving without either distraction. • The driver was also looking at the roadway significantly less when they were texting, no matter the method.

5. The effects of distracted driving are great. Take Xzavier for example. He was just 5 years old when he was hit and dragged 20 feet by a distracted driver. The women who hit him left him paralyzed from the waste down and completely confined to a wheel chair. What are the effects of distracted driving? • He had to undergo several surgeries and treatments and will continue to take medications for the rest of his life. • This experience for Xzavier and his family could have been avoided but became a reality.

6. What can be done? • According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), a person texting while driving is 23 times more likely to be involved in an accident. • DOT recognizes that distracted driving is a problem and have been asked why it is not illegal. • The law that bans the use of a cell phone is under the jurisdiction of the individual states, so they cannot ban it. • It has been suggested by congress to pass laws to stop distracted driving, but nothing has been passed yet. • Many states have stepped up and passed tough laws against texting, talking on a cell phone, and other such distractions.

7. What can be done cont. • The fact remains that distracted driving is an increasing problem. • There need to be tougher laws put into effect to reduce the occurrences of accidents caused by distracted drivers. • States need to pass laws that ban the use of a cell phone or smart device while driving. • I don’t want to see others injured by a distracted driver, myself included. Nor do I want to be the distracted driver who causes injury to another person. I believe the same for you.