Should Drivers use Cell phones while driving?

What would we do without the latest technologies in our daily life? We use computers for work and in school, we use cell phones to access apps and do research. At home, we use microwaves to heat up food and landlines have been replaced by cell phones as the main phone of many people. In our daily lives we use cell phones to text, look up boarding passes, check flights and make phone calls. More and more, people are using technology, including cell phones, as an important part of their lives. As more and more people become dependent on the use of cell phones, some of the time they are being used may be in a car, while driving. Is the cell phone more helpful or hurtful when they are used by drivers in a car?

While a small minority of people do not have cell phones, the prevalence of cell phone ownership and use has increased. "Cell phone usage is becoming a mounting issue in the United States with 91% of Americans (97% of people between 18-24) owning cell phones and using them for texting, calling and communicating for personal, work and school in daily life." ("Cell Phone ownership"). Cell phones are so in trend with their convenience and popularity they seem to be increasing in numbers and not decreasing. "Eighty-one percent of Americans own smart phones up from 35% in the 2011" ("Mobile Fact Sheet"). It seems that more people are becoming dependent on them, despite the potential risks. For teens, texting has become more popular as making a phone call. Starting in the year 2001, State governments have started creating laws to limit cell phone usage by individuals driving in cars, as risks arise.

Despite the controversy there are benefits of cellphones especially for teenage students, who are now using new technologies during the school year. Cell phones are becoming more popular in school as a learning aid. "In a recent poll 94% of students use their phones in class for learning" ("Cell phone use"). The Majority of U.S. students are now relying on cell phones to get their school assignments and homework done. Since these teens have the cell phones in their possession, as they drive to school, they may be tempted to use them, both texting and calling, while they are behind the wheel. The benefits of this immediate communication with others and the convenience it creates, it may be outweighed by the risks and dangers of this usage.

In contrast to the benefits for cell phones, the dangers of distracted driving are real. Starting in the 2000's, States have started to restrict the use of cell phones while driving mainly due to the incidence of car accidents involving a driver using their cell phone. The fatalities do not just include the driver, but also the passengers and other victims. "Twenty states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico have hand-held cell phone use bans and thirty-eight states ban all cell phone use by novice and teen drivers" ("Distracted Driving Laws"). "Cell phone use while driving causing distracted driving has been linked to automobile accidents and fatalities". ("Distracted Driving Laws"). The increase in accidents associated with cell phones is still controversial and there are arguments on both sides as far as the causes.

Some surprising emerging data shows a benefit of cell phones is their use in emergency situations. "Patients are more likely to survive when emergency services are called from a cell phone rather than a landline" (Weinlich). "It is associated with improved mortality rates at the scene of medical events" ("Mobile Phones proven"). Drivers may use their cell phones while driving to report an emergency. As more people continue to use cell phones more people may be able to helped and potentially saved in emergencies. Is the risk of distracted driving worth the potential benefit of helping someone in distress?

In addition to the risk associated with distracted driving there is another health risk associated with phone use. "Cell phones give off a form of energy known as radiofrequency (RF) waves." ("Cell Phone Safety"). And while this risk occurs whether the person is driving or not, it would be another reason for the driver to adhere to the handsfree laws. The concern has been a link that shows increasing risk of brain tumors of the head and neck while the driver holds the phone to the face (Creagan). "The evidence is mixed though and there is limited evidence linking cell phone radiation to human cancer" ("Electromagnetic Fields"). The mounting risks and seeming benefits for the driver are numerous and careful consideration must be used when considering using a cell phone while driving.

Overall phones have changed society for the better and for the worse. Since their introduction, the cell phone has significantly changed how people talk and has increased the convenience of personal communication. But the life-changing benefits of the cell phone come with many controversial risks. The negative effects of deaths from distracted driving along with other health concerns cannot be overlooked. Many distracted cell phone driver accidents occur with young teenage drivers actively using their cellphones while operating a motor vehicle. While these events may make the evening news, they will never bring back the special life of that driver, the passengers or others that may have been hurt or killed. More private and government agencies need to further expose the dangerous links of driver cell phone use to human health. There is a great need to further educate the public of these risks. Having these agencies along with Hollywood, TV and social media, where images and messaging catch teens attention, could positively educate drivers and shape what safe cellphone usage looks like. This positive action may ultimately save lives.

Works Cited

"Cell phone ownership". Pew Research Today, 6 June 2013 pewresearch. org/fact-tank. Accessed 1 July 2019

"Cell Phone Safety". American Cancer Society, 4 April 2018 cancer. org/cancer/cancer-causes. Accessed 15 May 2019

"Cellular Phone Use and Texting While Driving Laws", 29 May 2019 ncsl. org/research/transportation/cellular. Accessed 24 June 2019

Creagan , Edward T. "Link between cell phones and cancer" 6 May 2018 mayoclinic. org/healthy-lifestyle. Accessed 15 May 2019

"Distracted Driving Laws", 1 June 2019 ghsa. org/state-laws/issues/Distracted. Accessed 24 June 2019

"Electromagnetic field and public health" 8 Oct. 2014 who. int/news-room/fact-sheets. Accessed 15 May 2019

"Mobile fact sheet". Pew Research Facts, 12 June 2019 pewinternet. org/fact-sheet/mobile. Accessed 1 July 2019

"Mobile Phones proven to save lives in emergencies", 11 July 2019 amta. org. au/articles/Mobile. phones. Accessed 24 June 2019

Weinlich, Michael. "Significant Acceleration of Response", 23 May 2018 journals. plos. org/plosone/article. Accessed 15 June 2019