Introduction
The rate of cell phone use has been increasing since mid 1980, and this industry has been ranked as being the most growing in the world. Cell phone use has got lots of application be in business, between families and between those in transit.
Though all these situations use cell phones, but the equipment is very useful particularly to those in transit, including those driving vehicles most of phone operators have reported to be using the technology. In real sense, a large percentage of phone calls have been found to be initiated by motor vehicle drivers. However, many scholars and government agencies have argued that, the use of cell phones while driving “increases the risk of traffic collisions, property damage, injuries, and fatalities” (Lissy, & Cohen 2000, 2)
This concern however, has made many policymakers to be in a dilemma of whether to prohibit or just regulate this behavior of drivers using cellular phones while vehicle are in motion. This research paper provides benefits accrued from drivers’ use of cell phones while vehicles are in motion should not be prohibited.
Personal Benefits
Using cellular phones while driving reduces unnecessary travels or even minimize trip distance, which at the end reduces total time on the road since it allows efficient communication friends, family members, as well as other parties having traveling schedules that are supposed to be coordinated with the driver. Apart from reducing time and distance, this benefit ends up saving fuel consumption, traffic accident exposure, and vehicle wear and road pollution.
Another benefit is reducing drivers’ tendency of speeding. In case a driver is becoming late, there are higher chances that he will speed up the vehicle to reach at his destination in time to carry out his business. However, a driver can just make a call notifying those waiting for him if his late arrival, hence there will be no need of speeding up. This will at the end reduce the accident chances by a very high percentage, (Gerdes 2008, 56).
Use of cellular phones makes drivers to have peace in their minds. This is because, by making calls, he will be assured that uncertain events of the day can be dealt with effectively, hence reducing worries related to such events. This is because; they can receive and resolve such events calling for urgent attention just through the phone. In addition, cell phones can be used to provide security by reducing stresses and time lost particularly when the driver gets lost. As he can just make a few calls to confirm the road and direction to take.
Family Benefits
Communication among family members particularly when one is on transit enhances household chores accomplishment in an efficient manner, for instance, picking a packet of milk one the way from work. It can also provide notice in case one anticipates arriving home late, or even making eleventh hour changes on a planned schedule (Kiesbye, 2011 67).
In case teenagers and spouses are driving for a very long distance and at night, their family members and other spouses get worried. As a result, calling home while driving leads to relaxation and parental as well as family. In addition, the risk of using cell phones particularly teenagers worries parents so much.
Making calls while driving allows parents to leave their offices earlier, since there are transactions which can be communicated on phone while driving home. As a result, this gives such parents more time to spend with their family especially children. Hence they are in a position of providing parental advice, love and care to their children (Rothman 1996 34).
Social Networking Benefits
Studies have indicated that most Americans are losing their social connectedness, like friends’ networks due to life commercialization (Putnam 1995, 45). This has led to lots of health effects. So, since most people are only free when driving home or to work, so, allowing them to make calls while driving can have substantial impacts in reducing these effects.
In case one is caught up in a traffic jam, drivers can make some calls to their friends whom they have been remiss to call. This time can be used by drivers to reconnect with their associates and friends. In addition, drivers should be allowed to make calls while driving to coordinate some sorts of social engagements, which might have been jeopardized since the driver, is on a transit.
Business Benefits
By using cell phone technology can help workers on transit to keep in touch with their clients and employees. This can be of great help in reducing frustrations among workers, as well as employers. In addition, this will help in saving clients from moving away from the organization, because they can reach their respective partners and organization employees and managers at any time they feel like. These at the end increase production and efficiency, responsiveness to clients and co workers (Hsph.harvard 2011, par 4)
Conclusion
Due to above stated benefits accrued from using cell phones while driving, drivers’ use of cell phones while vehicles are in motion should not be prohibited.
Works Cited
Gerdes, Louise I. “Teen Driving” Detroit: Greenhaven. 2008. Print.
Hsph.harvard.edu. Cellular phones and driving: weighing the risks and Benefits. 2011. Web.
Kiesbye, Stefan. “Cell Phones and Driving.” Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven, 2011. Print.
Lissy, Karen. & Cohen, Joshua. Cellular Phone Use While Driving: Risks and Benefits. 2000. Web.
Putnam, Robert. Bowling alone: America’s decline of social capital. Journal of Democracy, 6(1995): 65-78.
Rothman, Kenneth. & Loughlin, John. Overall mortality of cellular telephone customers. Epidemiology, 7.3(1996): 303-305.