This research paper is discussing about talking on a cell phone while driving and why it should be legislated. It attempts to answer a question should we legislate talking on a cell phone while driving. As a researcher I believe that the answer to that question is yes, we should legislate. This answer was derived after intense research from various scholars concerning the issue. Answering this research question is important because legislation will help to save thousands of lives every year (Jennifer, 2). Talking on cell phone while driving is even more dangerous that driving when drunk since driving requires keen attention which talking on a cell phone seems to limit and thus the reason I believe it should be legislated (Recarte & Nunes, 132).

Meanwhile, as scientists from different countries do the research on how a using cell phone affects driving, as does the Farmers Insurance Group. Through the survey they found that 87% of those polled said that cell phones affect a driver’s ability, and 40% reported having close calls with drivers distracted by phones (Angela Daly, “A Call to Action”). Many scientists suggest that using cell phones while on the road is dangerous, but they can not prove that the cell phones were the only reason or the major reason that caused the accidents.

Studies show that talking on a cell phone while driving increases the risks of crashing. Other research by Donald Redelmeier and Robert Tibshirani, demonstrates that cell phone use while driving is as risky as drunk driving. Their study was based on almost 700 drivers and how they used their cell phones. (Angela Daly, “A Call to Action…”).  A research done by Harvard risk analysis center shows that cell phone talking while driving contributes to over 6% of crashes. This translates to over 12,000 serious injuries or 636,000 crashes each year (Augustine, 16). Thus, legislating cell phone talking while driving will save many lives as well as cut cost that is inquired in treating the injuries and repairing the vehicles.

There are a lot of debates about whether cell phone usage while driving should be legislated (William, 01). The situation is not clear and the answer is not obvious because there are also scientists, like researchers from Harvard Center for Risks Analysis, who say that the risk of using cell phone while driving is small compared with other driving risks (Paul Levi, “Cell phones in…”).  However the impact of the accidents caused due to driving while talking on cell phones should not be ignore when deliberating on this matter (Gilbert C. and Kristi, 01).

Of course, cell phone use might not be a major reason of getting in car accident. There are many other things that distract drivers, such as passengers, radio, GPS, weather conditions, etc. Driving itself is very dangerous and all of those things are distractive and make driving even more dangerous. We live in a free country and each of us has a choice how to live their life, whether to drive after a bottle of whiskey, or whether to argue with wife on the phone while driving on the highway 75 mph (Tom, 01).  Yes, you might think that you are very experienced driver and it is no problem to talk on the phone or texting and holding the wheel with your knee, but think about somebody else, not so experienced doing the same thing, going your direction and suddenly crashing into your car (Sarah, 02).

What if it would happen to your mom or dad, your pregnant wife or your only child? The price of this question is extremely high – it is somebody’s life (Richard, 236). Is life more precious than freedom of using cell phone? Somebody may say that this problem needs to be studied more, but while they study it somebody will die (University of Michigan, 48). Since there is no way the federal government can use to determine who can effectively use cell phone while driving and not risk the lives of others and who can risky, its better if as a state a common ground is agreed on of legislating on driving while talking on cell phone just the same was driving when drunk is legislated.  On my behalf, it is not a question. I prefer to give up my freedom if it would save a life. It is a call to action for us. We should legislate, not even a debate.