We are living in an age of increased distractions and in an age with a need for speed. These are especially deadly when combined and are being played out together by teenagers behind the wheels of automobiles everyday. And car accident statistics are proving this to be a real problem.
In the past few decades, the use of technology has dramatically increased in our lives. In the 90's, few teenagers had cell phones. But, the next decade changed that. And now, cell phones don't just take phone calls. With a cell phone, you can now update facebook, twitter, and foursquare, check your email, text friends, buy movie tickets, play games, and use GPS all from your cell phone WHILE DRIVING! And there are hundreds of new apps every day creating all kinds of new dangerous multi-tasking possibilities. And although everyone knows that using a cell phone while driving is dangerous, the younger generation tends to think they can get away with it. Jim Greene from the "LawyerShop" points out that "one in every three teenage deaths is caused by a motor vehicle crash". Commonsensemedia.org reports 2,600 traffic deaths are caused each year by drivers using cell phones, according to a Harvard study and that 570,000 accidents leading to minor and serious injuries are caused each year by cell phone distractions, according to the same Harvard study. Texting while driving has even been credited for causing train wrecks. These are just some of the indications of this technology tragedy.
Texting and using a cellphone while driving may have legal consequences. As of 2011, In many states it is illegal to text while driving. Some states have laws against the use of cell phones while driving in certain circumstances. In most states, school bus drivers can't use cell phones when driving a bus with passengers. Novice drivers are largely prohibited from using cell phones while driving. Some state laws require the use of head sets while talking on a cell phone and driving. In some states, cell phone use is a primary offense. That is, an police officer doesn't have to have any other reason to pull you over and cite you aside from the cell phone violation.
Each state has its own laws regarding the use of cell phones while driving. And though it is wise to know and obey the laws, it is wiser yet to not use cell phones when driving even if it is legal. Multi tasking while driving is dangerous and it ought not be done.
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