The Impact of Mobile Phone Usage since 1953

Cellular phones were introduced to the United States in 1983. The earlier phone models had big battery packs and large cases. Now these days, technology has come out with cellular phones at the size of a snickers candy bar. Phones that could surf the Internet, page people, emails, and voice mails. The Cellular Telecommunication Industry Association is the leading organization that represents wireless carriers reported that there is currently 50 million cell phone customers in the United States and it is growing about 40% a year. (www.assembly.cal.gov.)

Telephones can be very a convenient tool for daily life if used responsibly correctly. There is an increase on accidents with people using cell phones. People use phones during rush hour and might get carried away with the conversation and cause an accident.

Some states recognized that more car accidents have occurred and came up with laws that say you can t use cell phones in cars. States had reminded that driving is a responsibility and you should take care of it. There are laws now that say you can t use your cell phone while the car ignition is on. There is a bill to limit cell phone use. If this bill passes, it will be illegal for cell phone users to use their phones in the car. Phones are also used a lot on planes. Phones could affect communication and navigation systems. Delta Airlines allow the users to use their phone before take off.

I support this bill because more accidents are caused because of cell phones. A lot of states are starting to create laws to stop cell phone use in cars. In Hawaii, the bill H.R. 284 introduced in 1995, that the increasing use by motorists of cell phones together with laptop computers and similar devices are a danger to safe driving in the states and may constitute a contributing factor in a state's traffic accident. (www.nhtsa.dot.gov.) Cell phones could distract safe driving while on the road if you get carried away. You would have to use your hands to operate the machine and drive at the same time. In 1995, prevention magazine published a 1994 reader survey that found that 59% of adults believe that driving is riskier now than before. When victims were asked how the accidents happen, 18% reported that they were talking on the phone. (www.assembly.cal.gov.) Cell phones have an affect on airplanes by interfering with the communication and navigation systems, which can cause accidents. Cellular phones, laptop computers, portable facsimile machines and other similar devices should be checked and made sure that it wont interfere with the systems of the plane. If this does happen, it will take more time for the plane to leave the tarmac. Federal law prohibits the use of cell phones while the plane is airborne. Laptops can be used while the airplanes are airborne and flying beneath an altitude of 10,000 feet. A delta spokeswoman Kay Horner says, cell phones are more and more part of everyday lives. (Delta)

I support this very strongly because cell phones are causing accidents. It makes drivers not concentrate on driving. When using the phone, you will have to look at it to operate. That will put your eyes on the machine and not the road. I would recommend pulling over and using the phone safely instead of using it while driving. It could not only hurt you but everyone else driving. Cell phones used on airplane is also dangerous because it can cause delays with the communication and lose frequency. There might be valuable information that the driver should know to make the trip safe. Cell phones are to help make life more convenient, but most of the time they are abused.