[Student Reporters] Texting While Endangers The Road

karen Lee / 11th. Glendora High HS

Screeching tires pierced the quiet town of Glendora California and then came the painful 'crash' of a preventable collision. Five minutes earlier Jeffrey was driving home his new Honda Accord after a fun day with friends when he heard the familiar ring notifying him that he had a new text message. Silently hoping it was a text from his girlfriend Jeff convinced it was safe reached into his back pocket and pulled out his phone. Holding the wheel steadily with his left hand and the phone in the right Jeff checked his inbox. Just as he had hoped his girlfriend texted him. Jeff quickly glanced up to see if his path was clear and began to start a reply message. While Jeff was busy typing away a black Nissan had stopped ahead due to a red light and in less than five seconds an unsuspected accident had occurred.

Cellphones are becoming more and more relied on therefore has led the number of people who use the device while driving to rise. It is extremely dangerous to use a cellphone while driving due to the fact that drivers must take their eyes off the road to dial or text and people can become easily absorbed in conversation that their ability to concentrate on the act of driving is severely impaired.

"Texting or talking on the phone while driving is so stupid!" Grace Han 17 said. "Most of the time it's not even for something important but if it is why cant you just pull over?"

According to the California DMV when talking on the phone teen drivers failed 54% of driving tasks such as avoiding to notice a swerving vehicle. After being informed of the risks and dangers why do people still continue to use a cellular device while in motion behind the wheel? Too lenient of consequences probably plays a huge role in the case. When first caught using a mobile device while driving the penalty is a small fine of $50.00. This amount is normally seen as bantam and not taken very seriously.

"Teenagers never take the first consequences seriously they always view it as only a warning." Scott Kim 17 said.

But now a days it isn't only teenagers that are suspects to endangering the road. Many times on the street you can see the same amount of adults entering the cycle of reckless driving due to cell phones. Adults should be the one to advise and aide students to not conform to dangerous situation they need to be the first to show the act of being responsible and eventually teenagers will follow in their footsteps.

Situations like Jeff's bring to light the fact that anyone is susceptible to accidents at anytime when using a cellphone. To date car accidents are the leading cause of teenage deaths in the U.S. By taking simple precautions and following the law drivers can keep themselves and other commuters safe while on the road.