Texting+while+Driving.

Kara Moses Sonja Mack English 112 6 February 2012 Texting: An Addiction that Kills Many of us are aware of the severe addiction that is sweeping the nation; this addiction is texting. Back a few years ago, the cell phone was used sparingly. It was used for emergencies only, and only adults owned one. Now, there are many different things that can be done on the

cell phone. Texting, Facebook, Twitter, calling, Skyping, Instant messaging and many other things are able to be done on a cell phone. While these things are enjoyable and convenient, they are also deadly. Not only are people doing these things in their houses and in public, but you now see people texting while they are operating their vehicles. I am positive that people are not aware of the severity of texting and driving. Most probably have no idea what the consequences of texting and driving and if they are aware, then they are oblivious to the fact that this could happen to them. which is the most likely reason why it is such a huge issue today. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: calibri; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Some people just do not see or understand the possible consequences of texting and driving. In <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: calibri; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">fact most say, “that will never happen to me” or “I’m not that stupid”. That’s what everybody <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: calibri; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">says before they get into a head on collision. Cell Phones are not bad, and neither is texting. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: calibri; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Some people may argue that doing other things while driving are just as dangerous as texting <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: calibri; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">and driving. For example, eating, changing the radio station, arguing with the passenger about <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: calibri; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">directions, or even trying to stop the kids in the back to stop fighting are all just as dangerous. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: calibri; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Another possible argument that people could use is that cell phones could improve safety. For <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: calibri; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">example, you can alert police to dangerous driving, report accidents to emergency personnel, <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: calibri; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">report stray animals, and unsafe loads that semi-trucks may be hauling. Cell phones should only

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: calibri; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">be used for these reasons, but they aren’t. Instead people are using them to stay connected with their social life, which don’t get me wrong, is important, but not that important at the same time you are driving.

Although many people are against texting and driving. It is still a huge issue. According to a survey done by Nationwide Insurance, 8 in 10 drivers support some type of cell phone usage restriction. The majority of these respondents say that they are supportive of laws restricting

any type of cell phone use while driving. Yet, using your cell phone, not just texting, while driving is only illegal in some states? So, does that mean that the other 2 people don’t agree

with not texting and driving? Are they the people that cause the accidents because that text

message was so important? This may not be true, but somehow texting and driving needs to be solved. If it is not, then the problem is just going to get worse, worse than it already is.

A statistic proven by the University of Utah states that, “distraction from cell phone use while driving (hand held or hands free) extends a driver’s reaction as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the illegal limit of .08%”. Who knew that the use of a cell phone could somehow be related to alcohol? It’s just as addicting and deadly. With both of these addictions you lose the concentration that you need to have while you are on the road. This doesn’t just go for the driver, but for the passenger too.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (NHTSA) says that drivers that use cell phones are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. Not only are we putting others’ lives in danger while we are driving while using a cell phone, but we are also taking a big risk for ourselves. Most of us would never want to do anything to seriously hurt someone else, and I think that the same goes for ourselves. We are not willing to purposely hurt

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: calibri; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ourselves severely, so why do we risk that when we text and drive?

I have personally known someone that has gotten severely injured because of a 19 year old girl

texting and driving. The girl had no idea that what she was doing would cause a 55 year old man to lose his left leg and all feeling in the left side of his body. Both the girl and the man will never be the same. This would definitely be a severe case, but it was caused all because of that one text message.

For all of these reasons and many more, texting and driving is very dangerous and a huge risk

for the other people driving and the person that is texting. The next time that your phone goes off while you are driving, think about the other people on the road, do you want to be responsible for hurting them? If not for them, then think of yourself, is that text message that important that you are willing to risk your life? Didn’t think so. We all need to be aware of the consequences that come with our actions.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; display: block; font-family: calibri; font-size: 16px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Kara Moses

Sonja Mack

English 112

6 February 2012

Texting: An Addiction that Kills

Many of us are aware of the severe addiction that is sweeping the nation; this addiction is

texting. Back a few years ago, the cell phone was used sparingly. It was used for emergencies only, and only adults owned one. Now, there are many different things that can be done on the

cell phone. Texting, Facebook, Twitter, calling, Skyping, Instant messaging and many other things are able to be done on a cell phone. While these things are enjoyable and convenient, they are also deadly. Not only are people doing these things in their houses and in public, but

you now see people texting while they are operating their vehicles. I am positive that people

are not aware of the severity of texting and driving. Most probably have no idea what the

consequences of texting and driving and if they are aware, then they are oblivious to the fact that this could happen to them. which is the most likely reason why it is such a huge issue today.

Some people just do not see or understand the possible consequences of texting and driving. In fact most say, “that will never happen to me” or “I’m not that stupid”. That’s what everybody

says before they get into a head on collision. Cell Phones are not bad, and neither is texting.

Some people may argue that doing other things while driving are just as dangerous as texting and driving. For example, eating, changing the radio station, arguing with the passenger about directions, or even trying to stop the kids in the back to stop fighting are all just as dangerous. Another possible argument that people could use is that cell phones could improve safety. For example, you can alert police to dangerous driving, report accidents to emergency personnel, report stray animals, and unsafe loads that semi-trucks may be hauling. Cell phones should only

be used for these reasons, but they aren’t. Instead people are using them to stay connected with their social life, which don’t get me wrong, is important, but not that important at the same time you are driving.

Although many people are against texting and driving. It is still a huge issue. According to a survey done by Nationwide Insurance, 8 in 10 drivers support some type of cell phone usage restriction. The majority of these respondents say that they are supportive of laws restricting

any type of cell phone use while driving. Yet, using your cell phone, not just texting, while driving is only illegal in some states? So, does that mean that the other 2 people don’t agree

with not texting and driving? Are they the people that cause the accidents because that text

message was so important? This may not be true, but somehow texting and driving needs to be solved. If it is not, then the problem is just going to get worse, worse than it already is.

A statistic proven by the University of Utah states that, “distraction from cell phone use while driving (hand held or hands free) extends a driver’s reaction as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the illegal limit of .08%”. Who knew that the use of a cell phone could somehow be related to alcohol? It’s just as addicting and deadly. With both of these addictions you lose the concentration that you need to have while you are on the road. This doesn’t just go for the driver, but for the passenger too.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (NHTSA) says that drivers that use cell phones are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves. Not only are we putting others’ lives in danger while we are driving while using a cell phone, but we are also taking a big risk for ourselves. Most of us would never want to do anything to seriously hurt someone else, and I think that the same goes for ourselves. We are not willing to purposely hurt

ourselves severely, so why do we risk that when we text and drive?

I have personally known someone that has gotten severely injured because of a 19 year old girl

texting and driving. The girl had no idea that what she was doing would cause a 55 year old man to lose his left leg and all feeling in the left side of his body. Both the girl and the man will never be the same. This would definitely be a severe case, but it was caused all because of that one text message.

For all of these reasons and many more, texting and driving is very dangerous and a huge riskfor the other people driving and the person that is texting. The next time that your phone goesoff while you are driving, think about the other people on the road, do you want to beresponsible for hurting them? If not for them, then think of yourself, is that text message thatimportant that you are willing to risk your life? Didn’t think so. We all need to be aware of theconsequences that come with our actions.