Distracted Driving Essay Example

While most highways are two-way, it only takes one person to cause a disaster. This person, whether intoxicated or sober, was distracted. One second was all it took to look at their phone and this was the one second that cost them their life and injured others in the accompanying vehicle. This lifechanging second had long lasting consequences, first offense or not. The consequences of distracted driving include community service, a court appearance, monetary fines and even jailtime. The state of Florida does not do enough about distracted driving. A factor that plays in this is that there are not enough consequences for putting one or more lives in danger. In simple words, the law states that unless they are doing something illegal, like swerving or running red lights, there is no need to stop them. I claim that the laws need to be harsher, and in return this will make driving more comfortable and safer. While there are some that may say it is not the states responsibility to remind adults who know the law to actually follow the law. 

The most apparent reason to not drive distracted is safety, for the driver and others on the road. “Distracted driving is driving while doing another activity that takes your attention away from driving” (Secondary Source 1). This is scary because so many people do this every day, and they know the consequences, how could they not? Think back to the first time you got behind the wheel and on the road, I bet it was a formidable moment. Now, think about how many times were are distracted while driving last time you went to work or the grocery store. From my 2nd primary source, I know that nearly 10 people are injured a day in Florida due to distracted driving. If this statistic does not scare you, approximately 1,000 people a day are injured nationwide. Unfortunately, this statistic still does not cause the spine-chilling effect I hoped for but continue reading and every time you touch your phone, driving or not, you will think twice about it. 

Many people agree that talking on the phone while driving is better than texting while driving. People take their hands off the wheel and their minds off the road when they use their phone while driving. As a result, they can swerve and injure themselves or others. Even if a person uses the speaker in their car, they are not giving their full attention to driving which can cause a completely preventable accident. According to Todd Miner, an Insurance Attorney, “Approximately 20% of fatal teen driver accidents are caused by driver distraction, which makes distracted driving accidents one of the leading causes of preventable teen deaths in the country” (2nd Primary Source). There are many alternative ways to stop the pattern of irresponsibility. Something I regularly do is connect my phone to the radio and set it to read my messages from my mom and dad, but I wait until I am at a complete stop to touch my phone and reply. Also, I have a setting in my phone that sends them a message telling them I am driving so they do not feel like I am ignoring them. 

While some may claim that Florida laws are not harsh enough, others claim that Florida should not have to constantly remind adults to follow the law. The Florida legislature has been successful in the factors that fall under minimizing distracted driving among the state. This is due to the government's provision of sufficient, safe, and secure roads for its people, which eliminates factors that could distract them. Though the consequences of getting caught in the action of distracted driving is only a secondary offense, the culprit for allowing this to occur are the drivers themselves. The CDC reported that “Some states have installed rumble strips on highways to alert drowsy, distracted, or otherwise inattentive drivers that they are about to go off the road” (1st Secondary Source) I contend that though these “rumble strips” do help drivers pay attention, there are more distractions that can play a role including passengers, radios, eating and even animals. In a recent study of data from EverDrive motion-sensing App, “The findings suggest 92 percent of drivers nationwide with cell phones have used them while in a moving car in the past 30 days” (2nd Secondary source). I assert that it is just human nature to be stubborn, but when it comes to risking yourself and others lives... Why is there debate? Life is taken for granted too often, not paying attention while driving is a preventable accident that frequently occurs. Considering that distracted driving is only a second offense, and you cannot get a ticket unless you do something illegal, there should be harsher laws in place to break the pattern and make roads safer.

Finally, nothing, not even the Florida government, would be able to prevent people from being distracted while driving. Nobody will ever be experienced enough to never have an accident and an individual will do whatever they want until something serious happens. As a nation, we try to do everything possible to open people's eyes before a fatal accident occurs. Unfortunately, we can only hope that people realize how much they take for granted, in life and freedom.