Texting While Driving

Texting while driving is a problem that has grown enormously since the advances in technology these past 10 years.  Now that the use of cell phones while driving has increased, the government is trying to get states to ban the use of cell phones while driving.  The results of using cell phones while driving can be deadly.  In September 2009, results from the NHTSA came back that 5,870 people were killed and 515,000 people were injured because of distracted driving.  

In November 2009, 21 states banned cell phone use by all new drivers.  Also, in October of 2009, a Senator introduced a new bill that had a financial incentive to the states that chose to ban the cell phone use.  The is a lot of controversy about these new laws.  This is especially because the new drivers can’t even talk with a bluetooth while driving.  One teen stated, “Teens don’t really have any political power in society.”  

There was a fatal accident in September of 2008.  A train crashed and 25 people died.  The accident was caused by an engineer who was texting just before the crash.  This is just one example the deaths caused by cell phone distraction.  

Other distractions that concern people are women putting on makeup while driving.  Men also admitted to checking out other drivers being a major distraction.  Messing around with the radio and navigation systems are also distractions that lead to accidents.

In the future, Obama is working on new laws to help prevent cell phone use while driving.  Also he is looking for new ways to help enforce the laws that already exist.

"Texting While Driving." Current Issues: Macmillian Social Science Library. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Gale Opposing Viewpoints In Context. Web. 21 Sep. 2011.