In today’s society, distracted driving is a major issue, one we have been struggling with since the invention of cell phones. In 2013 alone, over 3,000 people were killed in accidents caused by distracted driving in the US. While many methods have been used to try and stop distracted driving, people are still in search of the best way to go about it. Many believe that we will get the best results by distributing PSAs, or Public Service Announcements, across the nation through different forms of media. They believe that, by showing people the facts, they will become more educated on the dangers of distracted driving and cease to do so. However, I am not convinced. I believe that PSAs will not have the desired long term affect, and that there are better ways to go about decreasing distracted driving. …show more content…
In fact, many claimed that PSA announcements did work. However, every study I read had recorded the short term effects, and no one seemed to know the long term. I however have observed the long term effect on my family and friends. Short term, the people who view the PSA have an awareness of the costs of distracted driving, and try to prevent it. However, this awareness only lasts as long as they remember to be aware. This could be anywhere between a month and even as short a time as five minutes. Another large reason that there will not be good long term affects is that, when people view a PSA or read an article about the dangers of distracted driving and past incidents, most people have the same mindset: “that won’t happen to me.” The problem is, that was the same mindset of the people that DID get in accidents or die because of distracted driving. It’s a mindset we can’t afford to have, yet can’t seem to
We 're coming up on April which is National distracted driving Awareness Month. So when I say distracted driving what comes to mind? Is it that fight that you had with your spouse? Is it that job promotion that you did not receive? Maybe it 's eating or drinking behind the wheel.
PSAs will remind you of the dangers by giving you analogies or just going right to the point which is appreciated, but it does not really mean anything. For example, you can write whatever you want on a piece of paper or say anything you want on camera and it will not matter because nowadays, anything with a meaning or lasting longer than a minute is not worth watching. PSA creators/writers know what topics to show, but sometimes they do not go a long way. There are a few persuasive or convincing PSAs about distracted driving, and if shown in the right way and time, they can be somewhat effective. In general, PSAs are mostly neutral, they are there but they are really not.
Discouraging Distracted Driving A couple months ago my roommates and a couple friends were enjoying a sporting event that was being broadcasted on the television. During one of the commercial breaks we were socializing with each other and all of a sudden each of us, one by one became quite because of a commercial that was airing. The word “yeah” flashed across the screen and then a young woman with tears streaming down here face said, “these were the last words my sister read before she died”. Her sister had been driving while reading a text message that was four simple letters, “yeah”.
It’s amazing how many people will still drive distracted, either by texting, talking on the phone, or even not paying attention to what is in front of them. Over 5,000 distracted driver crashes have occurred in Utah in a year. This has resulted in 3,000 injured and almost 20 deaths. Wouldn 't you think that would be enough to make people think and see what is happening? Texting or looking at your phone is now illegal in most states yet so many people still do it.
Less design, lesser safety The world of PSA posters is Vast, a call to action and/or pleasant to the eye, but this PSA doesn't fit the bill. Texting and driving is possibly the worst thing to commit driving especially to younger drivers who are starting out and/or inexperienced, nonetheless a phone should never be in a young driver's hand while on the road. As stated “7% of drivers ages 15-19 involved in 2020 fatal crashes were reported as distracted”(StopTheText) more and more new drivers are committing the same fatal mistake. This PSA fails to encourage safer driving due to its lackluster design.
How to Fight Distracted Driving by Lianna Thompson Safer roads is a goal that virtually everyone benefits from since we all share the road infrastructure. However this goal of safe roads can be difficult since there are many circumstances that can put drivers in dangerous situations. But perhaps the one that has gotten the most attention as of late is the issue of distracted driving. There have been countless attempts in order to help stop this issue, yet it still remains one of the leading causes of auto accidents.
Results from this action can range from minor to major consequences. II. Introduction Distracted driving is any activity that takes away a person’s attention from driving. Results from this action can range from minor to major consequences.
A distracted driver would travel the length of a football field when driving sixty miles per hour (Hollister, 2013). The length and amount of time could cause a horrific accident. Traffic safety researchers at Virginia Tech also recognized that those who participate in the act of texting and driving will be twenty-three times more likely to crash (Johnson, 2012). Everyone can see the evidence that distracted driving exists, specifically texting and driving. The people need to recognize it.
Distracted driving is a huge issue. The school system really needs to find an effective way to try to teach students to break this habit. My strong opinion is that public service announcements that are given by the school system really do not have any personal impact on anyone in the audience. When you are watching the blurry faces of really bad actors in a really low budget public service announcement, there is no personal contact or interest in the story at hand. However, most people have gone through really trumatic experiences because of distracted driving.
According to Inkteen.com “In 2009, 5,474 lives were taken and 448,000 people got injured from car accidents from being distracted while driving, says the government.” Being able to drive may be a dream comes true, but it could easily turns into a nightmare that is never woken up from. The use of technology has grown in constant for many years, distracting people from things that are important. Texting and driving is one of the biggest problems in USA. However, not only are drivers putting themselves in danger, they’re putting passengers in their car and other drivers on the road in danger, too.
Name: Davon Dower Date: April 15, 2015 Persuasive Speech Title: Texting While Driving General Purpose: to persuade Specific Purpose: To convince the audience that driving is a serious matter and it could cause risk Proposition Statement: I want to convince you all to start focusing more on driving then texting, because it can wait. INTRODUCTION: I. Attention Getter:
Distracted driving is extremely common in youth. Kids do not understand the dangers of distracted driving. That is why I believe we should have an app on our phones, that when you get into a car the phone powers down. The risk of dying is not worth one text. Yet kids in today's world do not see the risks or possibilities that can come out of it.
Intro: Imagine waking up and getting ready for your day in a car that picked you up with no driver. I support self driving cars because i feel it will improve the future of driving. Self driving cars will save cost on insurance and healthcare facilities. Also self driving cars will help disabled and elderly individuals and will take the danger of driving out of the equation.
Topic: Problem-Solution: Texting and driving GP: To persuade SP: To persuade my audience to not text and drive on the road CI: To persuade my audience to not text while driving by stating factors that contribute to the problem and a few possible solutions INTRODUCTION AG: According to Edgar Snyder, 11 teens die every single day due to using the cell phone while driving. CS: I have actually used my phone while driving but I was lucky and nothing happened besides me sliding off the road.
These advances have become so deeply rooted in our society one cannot seem to go a single day without their phone or laptop or other electronic devices. People are constantly going on the Internet and checking their phones whether it is to text someone or post a status update or a picture. Personally this issue not only affects my generation, it hits close to home as well. The goal is to successfully address an issue in a way that provides a better well being for society as a whole. Distracted driving is an epidemic that can be controlled.