Policy Proposal on Ban of Mobile Phones Use While Driving

Introduction

Mobile phones use has considerably increased in the past decade. In the United States, there are more mobile phones than the total number of adults meaning that some people have more than one cell phone (Soccolich, Fitch, Perez, & Hanowski, 2014). The phones have many benefits, but, there is also several adverse effects associated with the high number of phones. Mobile phones are linked to the increasing cases of distractive driving resulting in road accidents (Caird,Johnstonb, Willnessc, Asbridged, & Steel, 2014; Klauer, Guo, Simons-Morton, Ouimet, Lee & Dingus; Soccolich, Fitch, Perez, & Hanowski, 2014) The accidents are linked to the increasing number of deaths due to road accidents (National Safety Council, 2018). This policy paper seeks to convince the relevant authority to enact a ban on mobile phones while driving. The paper will also highlight several research gaps that need to be addressed in future researches.

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Policy

Cell phones use while driving affects driver's cognitive abilities leading distractive driving. A research by Soccolich et al (2014) showed that there is less cognitive involvement in hand-free phones. The physical movements involved in hand-held phones increases the involvement of the mind while looking for the phone and holding it on the ear. The research showed that at least 36% kept their phones in the cup holders, 29% on the seat or laps while a significant number placed their phones in a location that demand movement from the seat (Soccolich et al, 2014).

A review conducted by Klauer et al (2014) showed that the odd ratio (OR) for novice drivers causing accidents group causing an accident while reaching for their phone was7.05, texting was 3.87, looking on the roadside while driving was 3.9 looking for other objects but not phones were 7.05 and eating at 2.9. The experienced drivers calling using their mobile phones recorded a significant risk of OR of 2.9. The author concludes that the use of mobile phones leads to reduced attention and concentration leading to accidents even in drivers who are deemed experienced (Klauer et al, 2014).

The assumption by Klauer et al (2014) was reinstated by Caird et al (2014) after conducting a Meta-analysis on 28 studies on texting while driving. The authors linked the higher risk to a combination of factors in mobile phones that together affects the cognitive abilities. Use of mobile phones requires physical, auditory and visual attention. These factors affect the cognitive process while trying to multitask between driving and attending to the demands of the cell phone use. Subsequently, the drivers will not pay adequate attention to the road leading to inability to respond to traffic needs (Caird et al, 2014).

Recommendations for Policy Makers

The distractive driving brought by use of mobile phones while driving is considerably higher than what drivers experience while eating, looking at the objects at the roadside, and talking among other forms of distractive driving (Caird et al, 2014; Klauer et al, 2014; Soccolich et al, 2014). Mobile phones are linked to significantly higher effects on the brain. The higher effects are connected to a combination of factors such as manual, auditory and visual effects on the driver that subsequently affects the working of the brain. While talking on the phone, the driver auditory abilities are affected in that the brain has to concentrate on listening and capturing what is said on the phone and at the same time concentrate on the road. Manual aspects mean that the driver will have to operate other physical gadgets other than the tools used in driving such as pedals and gears while visual disruptions mean the mind has to focus on seeing other things instead of concentrating on the road. This is mainly connected to texting (Caird et al, 2014).

Despite the availability of hands-free mobile phones to help drivers reduce disruptions brought by hand-free phones, drivers have not embraced them with more than 55% of drivers still using hand-held phones despite having hand-free phones. This has led to an increased number of accidents (Soccolich et al, 2014). The resultant accidents are associated with several deaths. Thousands of people have died as a result of accidents caused by drivers who were talking on the phone (Schmitz, 2010). The number of accidents connected to the use of phones while driving could be higher since they are under-reported. Drivers who cause accidents while using the phones are usually reluctant to admit or report the true status leading to the accident (National Safety Council, 2018. The new technology that is thought to make things easier is causing more damaging as it increases distractions. Advancement in technology only increase convince but does not translate to increased safety. In essence, the factors are thought to improve safety such as hand-free phones are increasing the number of accidents. These gadgets distract the user's mind for long periods even after they have been used (National Safety Council, 2018). This assumption means that only a total ban on the use of phones while driving would solve the problem.

Gaps in Current Research to be Addressed by Future Research

Several gaps of knowledge have been observed in the existing studies. The first gap is the age differences in association to drivers who use phones while driving. Research by Klauer et al (2014) recorded that novice drivers using mobile phones are less than the number of experienced drivers although both categories can experience disruptive driving and subsequent accidents. It is essential to document the age group of drivers who are more connected to cell phone utilization while driving and the reasons behind their behavior. The future studies should seek to establish whether younger generations who are technology-oriented and likely to be addicted to phones or the older generation who have more years of driving experience are likely to use the phones.

The current studies have also concentrated on mobile phone talking and texting without considering internet (Soccolich et al, 2014; Klauer et al, 2014; Caird et al, 2014). These studies show that mobile phones present a significant challenge in work done to reduce the number of road accidents. With the advancement of technology and more use of the internet, the numbers of accidents linked to the use of mobile phones are likely to rise. However, a policy to ban the use of phones while driving will ensure that the number of accidents is lowered since fewer people will be using the phones while driving translating to less distractive driving. Without the policy, more accidents will be witnessed even when texting and hand-held phones are banned. Future studies should seek to establish the total number of crashes linked to the use of cell phones while driving. The cases are likely to be underreported to the authority as the involved drivers do not admit they made a preventable accident. The research should follow the drivers and assure them that the information they disclose will not be shared with the authority and anonymity will be used. The studies will not use identifying information such as names or driver's license numbers. Such researches are likely to yield startling results on the number of drivers causing accidents because they were using their phones while driving.

References

Caird, J., Johnstonb, K.A., Willnessc, C.R., Asbridged, M., & Steel, P. (2014).A meta-analysis of the effects of texting on driving. Accident Analysis and Prevention, 71 (2014), 311-318.

Klauer, S. G., Guo, F., Simons-Morton, B. G., Ouimet, M. C., Lee, S. E., & Dingus, T. A. (2014). Distracted driving and risk of road crashes among novice and experienced drivers. The New England journal of medicine, 370 (1), 54-9.

National Safety Council. (2018). Ending Distracted Driving is Everyone's Responsibility. Retrieved from https://www.nsc.org/road-safety/safety-topics/distracted-driving

Schmitz, Jon. (2010, January 130. Cell phone ban for drivers is focus of new group. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved from https://www.post-gazette.com/nation/2010/01/13/Cell-phone-ban-for-drivers-is-focus-of-new-group/stories/201001130215National

Soccolich, S., Fitch, G., Perez, M, & Hanowski, R. (2014). Comparing Handheld and Hands-free Cell Phone Usage Behaviors While Driving. Traffic Injury Prevention, 15(1), 21-26.