- Published: September 16, 2022
- Updated: September 16, 2022
- University / College: University of Rochester
- Level: Undergraduate
- Language: English
- Downloads: 18
Community Advocacy: Texting while driving In the contemporary era of electronics, people multitask behind the wheel, eat breakfaston their way to job, text or talk on their mobile phones or apply makeup on the rear-view mirror. Though we are all conscious of the risks of taking eyes off the road, individuals think that they can deal with the big hunks of steel with devices on their hands such as the mobile phones without paying the price (Hoskin et al., 2009). Statistics indicate that almost 40% of all accidents occur as a result of destruction. Cell phones are the leading distractions to drivers while driving and those who use their phones while driving are four times probable to cause an accident (Hoskin et al., 2009). Texting while driving among the youth results in unpredictable driving behaviour such as speeding or lane weaving which increases the chances of hitting pedestrians or hitting other vehicles. Texting splits a driver’s reaction making him or her less able to react to sudden road perils.
In order to reduce the rampant use of mobile phones by teenagers and other drivers, the best advocacy efforts would be to post visual images on the internet and set up bill boards along the streets to sensitize the youth on the dangers of texting while driving (Mason et al., 2011). On the internet, the best approach would be to offer the teenagers tips on how they can avoid texting while driving. The visual images can be posted on social media webpages such as Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp and Google+. The webpage on the internet can also contain information such as how to keep their phones away when in a car or silence them. In order to make the advocacy more effective, the campaign slogan will be “ you text, you call, you crash”.
References
Hoskin, S. G., K. L. Young, and M. A. Reagan. (2009). The effects of text messaging on young drivers. Human Factors 51(4): 582-92.
Mason, D. J., Leavitt, J. K., & Chaffee, M. W. (2011). Policy & politics in nursing and healthcare (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier.
