English Literature Coursework
PART 1: 7.06
Recently, the number of deaths caused by distracted accidents in Florida County has significantly increased. This distracted driving is majorly caused by using phones while driving. Yesterday I was driving back how when I was almost hit by a truck on the traffic lights. I came out of the car to find out what precisely the truck driver was doing. I was so surprised to see the driver busy on his phone texting. He even did not realize that he almost hit. Or maybe he did not bother since he was too busy on his phone. Perhaps he thought that I had seen him on his phone, that’s why he did not pay attention to the road, either on how they are driving. This wasn’t the first incident I encountered on the way due to drivers being distracted by their phones or other forms of technology. The paper will thereby discuss why our lives are more important than our phones or different types of technology we typically concentrate on while driving.
On the other hand, some people argue that using phones or other forms of technology while driving isn’t a big deal. The opponents add that the state government of Florida should legalize the use of phones and headsets since it only takes the smallest part of the mind. Additionally, the claim that driving is typically tedious and boring since it only takes a small portion of their conscious, which makes them get bored. This makes them look for other things that help them stay awake. According to the opponents, using phones while driving is not the issue; instead, the concern should be refocused to how the phone is being used.
PART 2: 7.07
Using a phone while driving should be stopped within an immediate effect. Regardless of whether the drivers are talking, texting or browsing, any form of phone usage while behind the wheels should remain prohibited. This action was taken by the government of Florida a decade ago. The outcome has been more when compared to states that had limited restrictions on the prohibition of phone use while driving. According to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), annually, 95% of the people involved in accidents usually say that the drivers were distracted by their phones before the accidents.
In conclusion, there are is nothing so important that we may need to do with our phones that worth more than our lives. Although some information we receive via phone might be vitally important, they are not as crucial to the extent of sacrificing our lives trying to reaching or accessing them while behind the wheels. Additionally, the argument of the opponents is also reasonable since they say that they need to use phones to stay awake while driving. However, there are many things other than phones or other technology forms that can make them active on the road. For instance, they can maintain fresh air in their vehicles; share the driving with other passengers, or use caffeine for a short-term boost. Lives are crucially too essential to be compared to materials.
PART 3: 7.08
For the past decade, distracted driving has been the primary concern and a popular topic of discussion among different people. The subject has not only raised numerous campaigns across various states in the U.S. but also has developed new amendments of laws. Distracted driving has always been linked to advancement in technology. Researchers state that most people are concerned about their social lives, which make them involve in risks of using technological devices when behind the wheels. However, more focus is now redirected to the authorities. Do they do something to control the disaster? The essay will discuss how the state government of Florida accordingly tries to deal with distracted driving.
The government of Florida prohibits the usage of the phone to all drivers. Whether they are driving school buses, personal cars, or truck, no driver is allowed to operate their cell phones while behind the wheels. Great punishments are imposed on those found offending the law. Recently, legislators passed a law to enforce the prohibition of distracted driving in Florida. The code is, however, particular about the distracted driving caused by phones. The fine for those found using their phones while driving was recently increased by over 200% (Classen et al., p. 111). This is enough evidence to prove that Florida is trying hard o prevent distracted driving.
On the other hand, opponents argue that the state government of Florida does inadequate to prevent distracted driving. Even though there are strict laws imposed on those drivers found disobeying them, this specific government still has not reached the needed standards to avoid distracted driving. For instance, it has put all its focus on preventing drivers for using technological devices that would lead to distracted driving. However, authority forgets that there are multiple forms of distracted driving. In Florida, traffic police always ask drivers to pull over the moment they see them text driving or making calls while driving. However, they won’t do that to drivers eating snacks or engaged in a profound argument with their passengers, yet these are also causes of distracted driving. The challengers conclude that Florida has done little to prevent this disaster (Saka, p. 219).
All in all, Florida has done a lot to prevent distracted driving. Imposing huge fines to all traffic offenders is the best way to curb the disaster as it has made most people phobic in driving while engaged in other activities. It is also crucial for the state government to consider other causes of distracted driving and enact strict and unlimited laws on them to effectively prevent distracted driving.
References
Classen, S., Winter, S. M., Brown, C., Morgan-Daniel, J., Medhizadah, S., & Agarwal, N. (2019). An integrative review on teen distracted driving for model program development. Frontiers in public health, 7, 111.
Saka, B. N. (2017). Driven to Distracted Driving in Florida. . Thomas L. Rev., 30, 219.