Several things amount to what is known as distracted driving. It is a type of driving that involves the driver not paying full attention to the road. Reasons that may lead to distracted driving include talking to other passengers while driving, eating, adjusting the music system, and daydreaming among others. One of the leading causes of distracted driving that has resulted in many accidents on the roads includes cell phone use while driving. Cell phone use can be through texting, talking over the phone, or accessing the internet. The discussion will analyze how many road accidents are related to the distracted driving that is caused using the cell phone while driving.
The first reason why cell phone use, while driving is common, is because people tend to believe that they can multitask while driving. Using the phone while driving makes it difficult for the brain to coordinate the two activities. Therefore, the probability of getting accident increases because the reaction time will be affected such as failure to see the traffic signals or delaying in braking. The ease experienced while accessing the internet has also led to addiction hence making people misuse their phones while driving. Driving is an art that requires a high level of alertness and concentration. Therefore, when distracted, the result is always making poor decisions and failing to observe road rules who consequences may lead to road accidents.
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The implication of cell phone use to road accidents can also be explained using the information processing model. In this case, the use of the mobile phones by the drivers can be referred to as ‘’shared attention’’ situation. In such a situation, driving is the primary task, and talking or texting using the phone can be regarded as the secondary task. The combination of the primary and the secondary task makes it difficult for the human brain to process information leading to distraction and inattention. Once this has set in, the result is that the possibility of causing a road accident is very high. The human body has various senses including sight, touch, smell, and hearing, etc. While driving, such senses must be operating at the highest level to make the required judgments. It has been proven that while using the cell phones, one or two of the senses becomes jeopardized as a result of what is known as cognitive overload. Therefore, two things are likely to happen; the driver becomes less proactive to necessary changes during driving, and secondly, they find it almost impossible to notice any impending danger or hazard while driving.
When an individual uses the phone while driving, they may engage in road accidents as a result of being lost in thought. With the technological advancements, many phones have come up with various applications that are either interesting or demand much of the attention from the user. The social media sites that are updated every single second may demand the attention of the user often. When driving, it becomes easy for the driver to be lured into checking on their phone frequently to engage in either of the named activities. In some instances, they may get so involved that they become lost in thought and fantasies while driving. The mind becomes diverted from the primary function which is driving as a result of the activities going on the phone. This is particularly dangerous when the driver is supposed to respond effectively to things such as bumps, roundabouts, and children crossing the road the road among others, hence leading to road accidents.
In conclusion, many countries and states have prohibited the use of cell phones during driving in a bid to mitigate road accidents. Several measures have been put forward such as heavy fines to people found using phones while driving.
