Downfalls of Distracted Driving No matter the age a person may be, his/her actions affect others; especially when they’re operating a vehicle capable of injuring or taking one’s life. Distracted driving poses great risks to the driver’s life and others on the road as it increases the probability of a tragic accident. Numerous lives are being lost each day due to distracted driving and not abiding by the laws. In today’s society, ignored warnings increase the possibility of death; influenced by both alcohol and drugs in addition to technology.
Driving dangerously due to distractions is extremely hazardous as it may result in the loss of life. Although many people think being distracted while operating a vehicle isn’t the end of the world, it could potentially result in a more serious issue. As people who are careless when driving continue to wreak havoc on the roads, the amount of deaths increase. In fact, the Insurance Information Institute said,”In 2015, 3,477 people were killed in distraction-affected crashes, and 391,000 people were injured. (Distracted Driving n. p. ). Injury and death is common with distraction induced accidents as more and more innocent people are getting involved with the mistake of reckless drivers. Being distracted while operating a vehicle has proven to have negative outcomes and is becoming increasingly common.
For instance, under Motor Vehicle Safety, the CDC claimed that more than 8 civilians lost their lives and 1,161 had injuries in accidents containing an inattentive driver every day in the U. S. Distracted Driving n. p. ). Inattentive drivers believe there is no harm in taking your eyes off the road yet the price they may pay is a lot more than desired. The NHTSA presented statistics stating, “In 2013, there were 3,154 people killed and an estimated additional 424,000 injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers. “(Distracted Driving 2013 1). Overall, not only are people dying due to reckless driving, but they are also being injured from the result of a collision.
Hazardous driving creates the potential risk of a crash. While some believe they are not a threat when driving distracted, careless drivers cause other people danger as well as themselves. Putting anyone’s life in danger for recreational purposes may be higherrisk than one may think no matter how fast they look away from the road. The NHTSA indicates, when traveling at 55 mph, taking your eyes off the road is like driving through an entire football field without opening your eyes (Distracted Driving n. p. ).
Thinking twice before taking a peek at a text message is a wise option because it could result in something fatal. Also, people less experienced with driving are more likely to injure or kill themselves in an accident. According to the NHTSA, drivers under the age of 40 are more commonly a part of fatal accidents due to distractions (Distracted Driving 2013 2). The lack of knowledge and understanding increases the likelihood of a collision due to interferences when driving. Not only do drivers, especially inexperienced one, cause accidents, they also cause death.
The CDC stated, vehicle operators under 20 years of age contain the greatest percentage of deadly accidents caused by distracted driving (Distracted Driving n. p. ). Unsafe driving affects the driver, but also the people involved, making the vehicle operator a threat to people’s lives while they are on the road. Overall, being a distracted driver gives the uncertainty of disaster based off their own actions while on the road. The use of drugs and alcohol not only are health hazards, but the consumption of these substances causes distractions when driving.
Although some may claim that a small consumption of alcohol won’t affect their driving, it is proven that death and injury is likely from an accident involving these materials. Driving drunk affects your ability to function and handle a vehicle, especially if copious amounts of alcohol is ingested. According to the foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, drivers under the influence of a large amount of alcohol are responsible for 69% of drunk driving fatalities on the roads of the United States (Drunk Driving Fatalities n. p. ).
Accidents caused by drunk drivers are extremely dangerous and even fatal because of the chemicals in alcohol. Even the CDC stated ,”In 2014, 9,967 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for nearly one-third (31%) of all traffic-related deaths in the United States. “(Impaired Driving n. p. ). The more alcohol consumed the more risky it is to drive around other drivers even if it was only one drink. The CDC provided research showing that 15% of BAC affects your muscle control, stomach control, balance, and impairs your driving (Impaired Driving n. . ). Being drunk impacts your body in a negative way that is definitely not safe enough to use a vehicle. Consequently, drinking alcohol while driving is exceptionally dangerous. Abused substance, such as alcohol and drugs, affects your driving ability in an unfavorable manner. Being on drugs affects people’s ability to drive and makes them a hazard on the road, even if others don’t agree for health reasons. The involvement of drugs is seen throughout many drivers; whether it be by prescription or not. Misusing drugs changes your capability of driving in a dreadful way.
The NCADD declared, “According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) National Roadside Survey, more than 16% of weekend, nighttime drivers tested positive for illegal, prescription, or over-the-counter medications (11% tested positive for illegal drugs). “(Driving while Impaired n. p. ). Multiple people go out on the weekends making the possibility of an accident more likely. The use of drugs can correlate to the effect of alcohol. The NIH explained, drug abuse and misuse of prescriptions makes driving unsafe and is compared to drunk driving as it puts everyone on the road at risk (Drugged driving n. . ). Abusing the use of prescription drugs is a form of distraction as well as drugs that are more commonly known throughout the world. According to the NIH, research provided after an accident showed the use of nicotine, alcoholic drinks, and over the counter painkillers taken by the driver (Drugged Driving n. p. ). Drugs found in households today contain drugs that cause dangers on the road. In the end, operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs causes unsafe driving. Electronics and new technologies loose the focus of many drivers.
Many people argue technology is useful these days, yet young people abuse the use of technology. Anything from a young person texting, emailing, or navigating can cause a distraction and a possible motor vehicle accident. The NHTSA states, throughout the day, about 660,000 drivers operate cellular devices while on the road (Distracted Driving n. p. ). This allows for an increase in accidents and death on the roads of the United States. Teenagers are the most common age group using their phones during catastrophic accidents. Even with warnings from law enforcement, teens continue to operate electronics while using a car.
The CDC declared, in the year of 2013, more than 2 out of 5 undergraduates who operated a vehicle in the last thirty days delivered a text or email while operating (Distracted Driving n. p. ). Teenagers and young adults have a higher chance of getting in an accident due to technology. The NHTSA announced, the use of cellular devices is most common with drivers ages 16 through 24 (Distracted Driving n. p. ). Nevertheless, younger people use technology dangerously while driving. Distractions from technology resulting in accidents are highly frequent.
People today claim they use technology for communicable reasons in the car, but this type of distraction is nonetheless unsafe. Cell phones are the biggest culprits for technological distractions while driving. In fact, the NHTSA gave information stating, “An estimated 34,000 people were injured in 2013 in crashes involving cell phone use or other cell phonerelated activities, 8 percent of all people injured in distractionaffected crashes. “(Distracted Driving 2013 4). The effects that cellular device distractions has on driver results in many deaths.
According to the NHTSA, in the year of 2013, 14 percent of death causing accidents were due to the use of cell phones as a distraction which, in total, was 411 fatal crashes (Distracted Driving 2013 1). The driver of a motor vehicle also can lose their own life due to not paying attention from technology. As stated by the NHTSA, an approximate 660,000 died of using a type of technology throughout the course of a day (Distracted Driving n. p. ). To conclude, the use of technology is a great threat while driving since the amount of fatalities is high.
Today, the rules that advise against vehicle crashes are not being followed, resulting in death; which is caused by drugs and alcohol as well as technology. People who drive distracted risk the lives of others and themselves because of their decisions. Also, drugs, alcohol, and technology are a major distraction when driving mainly when the driver is young and operating a vehicle. No matter how old a person may be, their actions affect others around, especially when they are operating a vehicle capable of killing or injuring people and themselves. Overall, when someone’s life is in danger, only they can decide their fate.
