Decide to Drive Campaign 1

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    Decide toNovember 2013

    Created by a student advocacy group at Campbellsville High School

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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