As the human race continues to advance, technology advances alongside it. Cell phones have advanced in their capabilities, tempting the human race to integrate their use into every aspect of their lives. The temptation has begun an epidemic of cell phone use behind the wheel. Drivers allowing themselves to lose focus for even a few seconds can have repercussions that change their lives forever. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, taking your eyes off the road long enough to send or read a text is about five seconds (“Distracted Driving”). They say, “At 55mph, that’s like driving the length of a football field with your eyes closed” (“Distracted Driving”). It is essential for society to educate drivers, young and old, of the dangers surrounding using cell phones while having responsibility behind the wheel. A good education teaching drivers the dangers of distracted driving, technology limiting the use of mobile phones while driving, and harsher and more widespread legislation can help curve the rise of distracted driving. 

     The first solution to the distracted driving epidemic is educating new drivers. Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of death behind the wheel, claiming 3,142 lives in 2020 (“Distracted Driving”). The problem is becoming an increasing threat. Therefore, we need to increase our education about the issue. Students Against Distracted Driving, or SADD, is an organization that focuses on educating teen leaders to advocate the dangers of distracted driving to their peers (“SADD: Student Organization: Washington, DC”). SADD states, “SADD empowers and mobilizes students and adult allies to engage in positive change through leadership and smart decision making” (SADD: Student Organization: Washington, DC”). Providing widespread access to organizations like SADD would increase the possibility of every student being educated on the dangers their decisions behind the wheel have. SADD has 8,000 middle school, high school, and college chapters, but if every school in the nation had a chapter similar to those represented by SADD, the chapters would be able to better educate the new generations about distracted driving.

     Curriculum teaching new drivers about the dangers of distracted driving would also be beneficial to ensure the new generations are educated on the dangers of distracted driving. Digital Futures Initiative, DFI, is an online curriculum that teaches “students the dangers of distracted driving and how to focus behind the wheel” (“DFI HOME: Digital Futures Initiative: Digital Citizenship for Kids & Teens.”). DFI provides free lessons that can be taught by school teachers, parents, or organization leaders. New drivers should have to work through a distracted driving curriculum, such as the one provided by DFI, before receiving their license. Proof of course completion should be presented before the new driver is allowed to take their driver’s test. If every driver had been properly educated on the dangers of distracted driving before they were even allowed to receive their license, the number of lives affected by distracted driving would decrease. 

     The second solution to the distracted driving epidemic is using technology to limit the usage of mobile phones while driving. Technology is partially to blame for the rise of distracted driving, but it can also help be the solution to the problem. There are several ways to use technology to limit the capabilities of a phone while driving. According to the National Safety Council, “Cell phone blocking apps and devices can be activated by adding a service to a wireless plan,” or “downloading an app onto your phone” (“Distracted Driving Technology Solutions”). These apps know when a person enters a vehicle, and immediately limit the capabilities of their devices. Sara Routheir, senior director of content for AutoInsureSavings, ranks eight free apps that block the use of phones while behind the wheel (Routhier). Routheir ranks the app “DriveOFF” as number one. Routhier explains that DriveOFF’s software knows when the vehicle reaches ten miles an hour and automatically shuts off all notifications. The app also displays a static screensaver, so the driver can not see any notifications until the vehicle comes to a stop. The static screensaver helps take away the temptation the driver may have to reach for their phone if they see a notification pop up.  Many people fear that these apps won’t allow them to contact authorities in an emergency (“Distracted Driving Technology Solutions”). However, the app programmers have already resolved this issue. The National Safety Council explains that a quick 911 call overrides the app's settings, allowing the user to get ahold of emergency services (“Distracted Driving Technology Solutions”). 

     The National Safety Council also states that you can install “a device in your vehicle to put a “geofence” – also referred to as a virtual barrier – around the driver” (“Distracted Driving Technology”). CellControl DriveID is a device that is installed on the windshield of a vehicle (“Technology That Can Reduce Driving Distractions and Their Dangers”). The device blocks the driver from sending or receiving text messages and calls. It can also be programmed to intercept emails and camera access from the programmed devices. This device is particularly popular because it allows passengers to use their devices, not the driver.

     The final solution to the distracted driving epidemic is harsher and more widespread legislation. As of August 2022, “24 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands 

prohibit all drivers from using cell phones while driving” (Bureau of Transportation statistics). Primary enforcement means that the “officer can cite a driver for using a handheld cell phone without any other traffic offense taking place” (“State Laws on Distracted Driving - Ban on Hand-Held Devices and Texting While Driving”). Twenty-four states out of fifty is simply unacceptable. That’s less than half of our country that prohibits the use of cell phones while driving. Oklahoma is one of the states that does not have a statewide law banning the use of hand-held cell phones. 

     On the other hand, “48 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands ban text messaging for all drivers” (“State Laws on Distracted Driving - Ban on Hand-Held Devices and Texting While Driving”).  This statistic proves that all states know that distracted driving is an issue, but over half of the states have set limits to their laws, allowing exceptions to the rules. In order for the laws to be successful, all states must enact laws prohibiting the use of all handheld devices while driving. The laws need to not only prohibit texting while driving but prohibit the use of mobile devices for any reason while behind the wheel. 

     The states need to make the laws a primary offense as well. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, “A primary law means that an officer can ticket the driver for the offense without any other traffic violation taking place” (“State Laws on Distracted Driving - Ban on Hand-Held Devices and Texting While Driving”) The Bureau of Transportation Statistics also explains, “A secondary law means an officer can only issue a ticket if a driver has been pulled over for another violation (like speeding)” (“State Laws on Distracted Driving - Ban on Hand-Held Devices and Texting While Driving”) It is vital that the new laws enacted by the states are primary laws to ensure that society takes them seriously. If they pass the regulations as a secondary offense, citizens will take it as more of a suggestion rather than a law. There should also be a severe fine for those breaking the law to ensure no repeat offenders.

     Distracted driving has plagued our society for many years now. The rapid increase in technology’s capabilities has led to an increase in the use of mobile devices behind the wheel. We can, however, combat this new factor to the equation of distracted driving. Educating the new generation by using organizations and curriculums before presenting their license will help decrease the number of young lives lost to distracted driving. Technology, such as apps and devices added to the vehicle, can limit a phone's capabilities while in a car. Law enactment and enforcement is the final step to finally making headway on this epidemic that has claimed so many lives already. As a society, let us step up and be better for future generations.