Measure 40 Drive Safely Campaign 13.6.2012 Katerina Oktabcova Usti nad Labem Municipality.
Decide to Drive Campaign 1
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Transcript of Decide to Drive Campaign 1
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7/26/2019 Decide to Drive Campaign 1
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Decide toNovember 2013
Created by a student advocacy group at Campbellsville High School
D
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Texng: Should it Wait?
To whom much has been given much is expected.
Society today has available tech-
nologies like never before. However,
given that we live in a world more tech-
nologically connected than ever before,
we are facing new problems prior gener-
ations could not fathom. With every is-
sue, invariably society will encounter
opposing ideas on how to approach a
solution. Although the means of solving
may differ, the intentions behind the so-
lutions are one in the same.
Even seemingly insignificant
choices have the potential to ripple into
the lives of others. With advancements
in technology, a society growing busier
and peoples ever-strengthening demand
for efficiency, the temptation to take
ones eyes off the road is exceedingly
apparent.
To combat accidents caused by
distracted driving, some believe re-
strictions on what you can and cannot do
while behind the wheel would doubtless-
ly help contain needless tragedies. Statis-
tics show that ten percent of injuries
from crashes in 2011 were reported as
distraction-affected crashes. Based on a
survey conducted in Campbellsville
High Schools senior English class, the
majority of teens in a single trip pick up
their phones three to five times while
behind the wheel.
Despite the benefits of enforcing
distracted driving laws, there is contro-
versy surrounding the basis of the laws.
The United States was founded on the
guiding principles of life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness. At times, it may be
simpler to control everyday actions that
have the potential to be harmful, such as
distracted driving. However, this defies
our unalienable rights. There are some
who believe that what happens behind
the wheel is the decision of the driver.
The government would be taking their
power a step too far in trying to dictate
actions as small and insignificant as a
text message. Actions besides legislation
could be taken to make the roads a safer
place. For example, many states now
require driving classes before teenagers
may attain their drivers license. Law-
makers have put this policy into place inorder to make all new drivers aware of
the danger distracted driving presents. In
Kentucky, all permit-holders must attend
a four-hour driving course, which thor-
oughly explains what distracted driving
entails and what the results may be. Va-
lidity and reality are enforced by the
presentation of examples from video and
other media sources.
The intentions of distracted
drivers are not to cause harm to any
person, just as the intention of lawmak-
ers is not to infringe on citizens rights.
Both parties are advocating what they
believe to be right: the safety and happi-
ness of others. No party is in opposition
of the innovations made to technology.
The problem lies in whether the govern-
ment has the grounds to be involved in
moral issues concerning the safety of i
citizens.
Much is expected from whom
much has been given. With a culture
deep in the luxuries of technological a
vancements, we have a greater respons
bility to our fellow citizens safety and
also to our hard-earned freedom. Dis-
tracted driving is an issue that may nev
be resolved. However, it is essential to
our countrys morale and unity that we
ban together for the solution.
"Distracted Driving | Facts and Stats |Texng and Driving." Distracted
Driving | Facts and Stats | Tex-
ng and Driving. N.p., n.d. Web.
25 Oct. 2013.
"NCSA Publicaons & Data Requests."
NCSA Publicaons & Data Re-
quests. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Nov.
2013.
Logan Dial, Emily Haley, Katelyn McMahan, Mollie Williams
Above, a teen portrays a distracted driver.
Facts from the NHTSA
Ten percent of fatal crashed in
2011 were reported as distrac-
on-aected crashes.
Seventeen percent of injury
crashes in 2011 were reported as
distracon-aected crashes.
For drivers 15-19 years old in-
volved in fatal crashes, 21 per-cent of the distracted drivers
were distracted by the use of cell
phones.
In 2011, 495 non-occupants
were killed in distracon-aected
crashes.
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A survey recently conducted by a group of Camp-
bellsville High School students in central Kentucky on
the subject of distracted driving polled 75 drivers be-
tween the ages of 16 and 19 at Campbellsville HighSchool. The questions focused on the topic of distracted
driving and each students personal definition of the term.
Although 84 percent of survey takers agree that
laws banning distracted driving are necessary, all but
three admitted to being distracted behind the wheel at
least once in a single trip. Many of these survey takers
defined distracted driving as doing anything that disrupts
your focus from driving. The largest distraction reported
by survey takers was the use of their cell phone.
The results from the survey show that the youth of
today recognize the dangers of distracted driving, but are
reluctant to apply their knowledge to their own lives. The
need for all teenagers to be educated on the very real dan-
gers of distraction on the road, as well as the importance
of anti-texting legislation is more evident than ever be-
fore.
The target for most of the anti-texting laws aregeared towards novice drivers.
On the distraction.gov website we found that one state
Kentucky, defines a novice driver as any driver under
the age of eighteen. However, other states have differ
ent definitions for the term novice driver.
84%
16%
SURVEY
1. What is your age?
2. What is your gender?
3. How long have you been
driving?
4. What is your definition
of distracted driving?
5. What distracts you the
most while driving?
6. In a single car ride, howmany times do you find
that you are distracted?
7. Do you feel that distract-
ed driving laws are im-
portant in maintaining safe
roads?
The following quesons were given to teen respondents of
the survey. Their answers are represented below.
A Summary of a Distracted Driving Survey
Logan Dial, Emily Haley, Katelyn McMahan, Mollie Williams
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10 Tips to Ensure Your Safety
on the Road
1) Be aware of the happenings not
only in your vehicle but also of the
surroundings outside of your vehicle.
2) Make the task of driving your pri-mary focus and all other tasks sec-
ondary.
3) Clearly communicate to your pas-
sengers the importance of safe
driving.
4) Keep calm and rational while be-
hind the wheel.
5) Place phones and other distracting
devices out of sight and out of
mind while in the car.6) Treat driving as a privilege, in-
stead of a right.
7) Watch out for not only yourself
and your actions, but especially
for other drivers.
8) Be awake and alert while driving,
avoid driving while drowsy.
9) Remind yourself frequently that a
single text puts yourself, passen-
gers, and other cars in danger.
Above students at Campbellsville High
School take the pledge to abstain
from texting and driving.
Survey can be found online at:
hp://www.surveymonkey.com/s/
S23VCFG
While legislation is a necessary step in eliminating the
devastating effects of distracted driving, there are other ways
in which society can diminish this threat. The first step in fix-
ing a problem is awareness. Schools would be an excellent
venue to reach as many teen drivers as possible.
Next, community leaders could join forces with youth
to promote safe driving in their own town. Local businesses
and organizations could offer incentives for driving safely.
Eliminating distracted driving is possible, but only if we work
together.
Connuaon of Distracted Driving Survey
Summary...
The survey asked teens What distracts you the most while driving? Their
answers are represented below.
I ea aci w us lokbynd aci a pas, en, nd fusta, nd a r hm
i ect, nd la-in ho ng.And w h b vcuiu.
-Bli Pasc
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The United States official
website for distracted driving
states, The best way to end dis-
tracted driving is to educate all
Americans about the danger it
poses. What is it that makes mul-
ti-tasking behind the wheel so le-
thal to those involved? The danger
appears when a drivers eyes di-
vert from the road. Studies by the
United States Department of
Transportation report that when a
vehicle operator sends or receives
a message their attention and vi-
sion is taken from the road for an
average of 4.6 seconds. This is
equivalent, if traveling fifty-
five miles an hour, to driving
blind the length of a football
field. Distracted driving is an epi-
demic that is sweeping the nation.
For the safety of Americas road-
ways, something must be done.
Distracted driving is a broad
term that is defined as a driver
partaking in any activity thatmakes the task of driving second-
ary to another activity. Specific
distractions include driving while
texting, talking on the phone, ap-
plying make-up, tending to hair
problems, changing the radio sta-
tion, eating, and even reading.
The most dangerous (some may
argue most common) by far of all
activities behind the wheel is un-
doubtedly texting. The United
States Department of Transporta-
tion reports that texting driving
requires visual, manual, and cog-
nitive attention from the driver.
There is a clear correlation be-
tween car accidents and texting
behind the wheel. Federal
agencies estimates suggest that
distraction contributes to 16% of
all fatal crashes, leading to around
5,000 deaths every year. The num-
bers are something for drivers to
consider the next time they start
their cars. Trends show when a
driver partakes in a job requiring
visual attention, they are three
times more likely to be involved in
a motor vehicle accident than
those not engaging their vision on
any other activity. Also, a jaw
dropping 3,331 fatalities due to a
distracted driver tragically oc-
curred in the United States in
2011. This astounding number is
on the rise and will continue to
rise if the trends continue.
Numbers also strongly sug-
gest that this epidemic
plagues new drivers more of-
ten than experienced drivers.
The Department of Transportation
for the United States has pub-
lished research which reports
that drivers between the ages of
fifteen and nineteen, considered
novice drivers in many states, that
were in fatal crashes involving dis-
tracted driving were distracted by
cell phones twenty-one percent of
the time. Research also shows
teenagers, on average, use texting
while behind the wheel a quarter
of the time. Many states have al-
ready confronted this problem
head on by means of legislation
prohibiting the use of cellular de-
vices while behind the wheel.
Much of the legislation includes
language that specifically bans
novice drivers, defined by states,
from using communication devices
while operating a vehicle.
One casualty due to distracted
driving is one to many. States are
doing their part by creating laws
for drivers to follow. However,
every driver must make the con-
scious decision to abstain from
multi-tasking and choose to keep
their eyes on the road, hands on
the wheel, and minds alert. Acci-
dents caused by drivers diverted
attention are completely prevent-
able. It is the responsibility of
every driver to make good
choices while on the road so
they may be safer for all
drivers.
Make te ChoiceLogan Dial, Emily Haley, Katelyn McMahan,
Mollie Williams
"Distracted Driving | Facts and Stats | Texting
and Driving."Distracted Driving |
Facts and Stats | Texting and Driving.
N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2013.
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istracted
riving
All wrien components of this magazine were created by
authors: Logan Dial, Emily Haley, Katelyn McMahan, and
Mollie Williams., along with the use of the following re-
sources:
NHTSA. "Trac Safety Facts." Apr. 2013: n. pag. Web. 8
Nov. 2013.
Franklin, Zoe. "The Devastang Consequences of Distracted
Driving." n.d.: n. pag. Web. 1 Nov. 2013.
Images are original images captured by: Logan Dial, Emily
Haley, Katelyn McMahan, and Mollie Williams
Images found on both the front and back cover were creat-
ed through the use of images found online at:
hp://www.boston.com/news/local/massachuses/
gallery/RoadSigns/
hp://www.trainparty.com/products/hot20013.html
Pictured above are team members of a student
advocacy group at Campbellsville High School,
creators of this magazine. Logan Dial, Emily Haley,
Katelyn McMahan, Mollie Williams