Article Blog #13

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/22/technology/22distracted.html?ref=technology

Support: http://www.nationwide.com/newsroom/dwd-facts-figures.jsp

The article at hand talks about how using your cellular phone while driving is usually dangerous and a hands-free headset is not the answer either. One possible remedy to this problem was “ZoomSafer”, which is a free service that uses a phone’s GPS sensors to disable the phone when a certain speed is reached. The best solution is to actually turn off your cellular phone according to the article, “but going cold turkey is hard for many Americans who have become addicted to their gadgets” (cnn.com). Ford and Microsoft also offer a system that uses voice commands to dial your contacts. Nationwide is offering discounts to drivers who actually use call-blocking services while driving to encourage people to put safety first. Aegis Mobility and obdEdge, also use the same type of features that “ZoomSafer” use, “any incoming calls are then routed to voice mail or a message explaining that the phone’s owner is driving. Exceptions can be made for certain numbers” (cnn.com). Some employers are also participating in this service in order to make sure their drivers abide by the cell phone rules. Studies have shown that drivers are four times more likely to get into a car accident when talking on the phone, whether or not they use a hands-free headset.

I think that it is cool how insurance companies are lowering people’s rates for being safe while using a call-blocker. However, it is difficult for someone to not have their phone readily available while driving, especially if they are using their phone for business. According to CNN, “Once a conversation begins, we don’t see a difference between hand-held and hands-free” (cnn.com). I agree with the quote because I think that once we get into a conversation, we go ahead and put driving as a second priority whether or not we realize it. I use my cell phone while driving sometimes but it usually is not for something important at all. I would like to think of myself as a great driver, but I do not think that anything is safe about putting your life and the life of others at risk while using the phone. We as a society usually do not think it is a big deal, but “distraction from cell phone use while driving (hand held or hands free) extends a driver's reaction as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent” (nationwide.com). The statistics alone should put some sense into a person, and the last thing anyone needs on their conscious is a wreck because of a silly conversation over the phone that caused a fatal accident. Think smart.