Stopping Texting While Driving, Outline Example

Introduction

1. 1. Lack of prominence in current laws: Less than half of the states in the U.S. currently ban texting while driving
   2. Danger and prevalence: 89% of Americans believe it is “distracting, dangerous, and should be outlawed,” yet 66% text while driving (Wilson)
   3. Proposed change: Federal ban against texting while driving for the safety of all on the road.

Body

• Dangers of texting while driving

1. Statistics and studies: Difficulties in statistical analysis (AAA: 46% of teens distracted by texting); Virginia Tech Institute Study: At 55 mph, a driver texting travels the distance of a football field without eyes on the road (Hanowski); researchers recommended banning of texting for all drivers; An unreleased study from the University of Utah saw accidents related to texting increase six times (Livadas); Car and Driver experiment saw texting as more dangerous than drunk driving (LeBeau)
2. Time taken to read a text message; Lack of hands-free mechanisms for text messages, as opposed to cell phone conversations

• Governmental involvement

1. Review of statistics and studies to determine need of federal ban
2. Deliberation on appropriate punishments; perhaps follow British government, such as jail time for related deaths (Jones)

• Implementation of nationwide ban on texting while driving

1. Public awareness and support initiatives
2. Harmonization process with current state laws

Conclusion

1. 1. Texting while driving is dangerous; the government should act immediately
   2. As a country we must act to stop this dangerous activity in which we are already aware
   3. Due to the grave dangers of cell phone texting while driving, it should be banned across the United States
   4. The elimination of texting for drivers will save many lives and lead to better habits on the road

Works Cited

Hanowski, Richard. “Driver Distraction in Commercial Vehicle Operations.” 2009. Web. May 24, 2010.

Jones, Ashby. “Crime and Punishment: On ‘Texting’ and Driving.” Wall Street Journal. November 2, 2009. Web. May 24, 2010.

LeBaeau, Phil. “Texting and Driving Worse Than Drinking and Driving.”CNBC. June 25, 2009. Web. May 24, 2010.

Livadas, Greg. “Text Messaging Not Illegal but Data Clear on Its Peril.” July 24, 2007. Web. May 24, 2010.

Wilson, Mark. “89% of Americans Want Texting While Driving Outlawed.” Gizmodo. August 7, 2007. Web. May 24, 2010.