Navarro

Andres Navarro

Professor Mahta Rosenfeld

English 113A

8 November 2017

Effective Rules of the Road

One of the greatest moments in my teenage life was receiving my drivers license. Right

after I received my license, I made the choice to drive home while texting my friends that I got

my license with the consequence of crashing into another car. It was not until after this event

occurred that I began to realize I did not only put my own life in danger, but also the ones around

me. I also began to think and question myself and said, how effective are driving laws? Like

every state in the United states, there is a variety of similar laws as well as different laws that

must be followed. California Governor Jerry Brown passed a controversial state law regarding

drivers and their bad habits towards electronic devices. This law goes by the name of Assembly

bill 1785 and went into effect on the first of January in the year 2017. As Mike Luery reports

about this law, Drivers aren't allowed to use their cell phones while driving, unless they're using

a hands-free device, or voice-operated commands. (KCRA, Mike Luery). On the topic of

distracted driving as well as other laws implemented, the Department of Motor Vehicles says,

they are trying to reduce the number of car accidents by enforcing various laws that are

supposed to deter drivers from speeding, running a red light, driving under the influence, or

using cell phones while driving, which are some of the most common traffic violations in the

U.S. (DMV). As the Department of Motor Vehicles, they are required to gather information and

as mentioned, using cell phones while driving is a most common traffic violation in the U.S.

(DMV). Alongside these California distracted while driving laws, there is the question whether
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the laws are effective. Californias new driving law creates safer roads and begins to

acknowledge drivers of the dangers of driving with hand held devices because these distractions,

such as use of cell phones, can cause severe injuries including death.

Most individuals in California are tempted to pick up their hand-held devices when a

phone call or a text, but in doing so they pose a greater danger to themselves and others. The

average use of a cell phone while driving has caused 16% of all traffic deaths in 2009

(Anonymous, ProQuest) having a 6 percent jump from 2005. More and more individuals are

reaching for their cell phones due to the advancement of technology as well as teens who need to

be connected to their social media. With the new California distracted driving laws, there should

be a decrease in the amount of all traffic deaths. Another way of reaching this goal is having

police officers do their job and enforce these laws. Officers in different counties have already

begun to enforce it such as in Long Beach, a police officer in long beach began to crackdown

by ticketing motorcyclists and other drivers in order by raising the price the second ticket. Not

only does it discuss the danger of putting other drivers in danger. Discusses the dangers that can

happen in a second, just by being distracted from a phone call or text (Hurns, LexisNexis

Academic). Also in April, more than 225 local police agencies and the 103 California Highway

Patrol commands will be conducting zero-tolerance enforcement operations which supports that

officers are working to force the new driving laws in California. The process of enforcing this

law may be difficult, but the effect of the law will make roads safer.

With everyone having a different opinion on the law, several people in California choose

to not have this unnecessary law. Some may argue that this is just another law that does not

benefit anyone. A large portion of people believe there is too many laws placed upon us by the

United States government. Another major reason why this law is strongly frowned upon is the
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fact that navigation when using a phone is very useful. With the law not permitting anyone to

touch their electronic device when operating a car, they find it impossible to use navigation. The

advanced technology we have in todays society, it is believed that navigation on our

smartphones are a resource we should not be restricted from using. It is also seen as a horrible

law to be placed because the emphasis on temptation to use a device. Some may have an

addiction or feel rebellious and want to use it when it is against the law. Contrary to those who

believe it is unnecessary, this law protects more individuals from endangering themselves and

others. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the increase in occurring

accidents for people who text while driving is 23.2 times higher than non-texting drivers

(Jacobson, The Jama Network). The primary problem is having the safety for everyone and

comparing people who text to non-texting drivers, it is more beneficial for everyone if the law is

enforced.

The satisfaction from momentarily using ones cell phone can result in the life or

death of others. Large amount of accidents has occurred from a quick look at a cell phone. In the

moment, it may seem that getting something done quickly may be beneficial to ones life.
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But, there is no thought about what may happen in that moment. In the following picture, it

shows a woman texting while driving as her car approaches a mother and her kids. The result of

answering her phone is a smile that devalues the fear from the family crossing the street. This

smile also implies that the woman did not think about the effect of using her phone. Because the

driver in the picture took their eyes off the road for 4.6 of 6 seconds (Jacobson, The Jama

Network) the life of the family is in real danger. With the implementation of Californias driving

laws, the life of the family crossing the street will be prioritized before the life of a cell phone.

The creation of California driving laws benefits the driver and the people on the streets.

Even though, many believe these laws limits choice and ability to do things such as utilizing

navigation apps, the main purpose is to protect lives. As drivers get onto the road, one must

always ask oneself, are the lives of fellow human beings more valuable than a short-term

interaction through a cell phone?

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Anonymous. "United States: Think before You Speak; Car Safety." The Economist [London] 16
Apr. 2011: N/a. Web.

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[Washington, D.C.] 04 Apr. 2011: Targeted News Service, Apr 4, 2011. Web.

Indrelunas, Brian. "Ticketing Texters Can Be Tricky, Police Say." The Desert Sun [Palm Springs,
Calif.] 25 Sept. 2010: A.1. Web.

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877-78. Web.

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Education to Avert Traffic Injuries and Fatalities." JAMA 303.14 (2010): 1419-420. Web.

Luery, Mike. Hands off Your Phone! Everything to Know about CAs New Distracted Driver
Law. KCRA. KCRA, 08 Oct. 2017. Web. 15 Nov. 2017.

California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS). N.p., n.d.
Web. 15 Nov. 2017.