Wonderful of Technology – Internet

      The internet is a wonderful gift of technology. Because of it, we have access to shopping, games, friends, and all types of information at the tips of our fingers. There are many pros that come with this unlimited access, but I don’t think people understand the distraction it causes in our daily lives. At first, there was only internet access via a computer in the comfort of your home. Now, we can roam the internet from anywhere we’d like, whether it’s from a smartphone or tv. We live in a time where we are rarely disconnected from the internet. This constant usage has become addicting and seems to hinder our ability to balance and manage time, attention, and energy. Not realizing the impact of those distractions could have major consequences.

      The use of technology has grown over the years, distracting us from things that are most important. One of these major distractions has become cell phone usage while driving. More specifically, texting while driving. It is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Drivers are not only putting themselves in danger, they’re putting their passengers and other drivers on the road at risk of an accident. “Each day in the United States, approximately 9 people are killed and more than 1,000 injured in crashes that are reported to involve a distracted driver. Distracted driving is driving while doing another activity that takes your attention away from driving. Distracted driving can increase the chance of a motor vehicle crash.” (Motor Vehicle Safety”). Texting while driving isn’t an easy task and requires your cognitive, manual, and visual attention. All which are needed to drive. Even talking on the phone allows drivers to miss out on information in their driving environment.

       The Georgia General Assembly passed House Bill 673, which is also known as the “Hands Free Law”. It states, amongst many other things, that cannot have a phone in their hand or use any part of the body to hold it. Drivers should also only make and receive phone calls via speakerphone or earpiece. This law is a great step toward decreasing cell phone usage while driving unfortunately, it is not enough. Texting while driving is similar to drunk driving. As a society we have to understand the consequences of our distractions.

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