Jennifer Martin
CAS100A- Section # 207
Hillary Jones
Policy Speech
Cell Phones and Driving
Introduction
I. Attention Getter: 15% percent of Americans have interrupted sex to answer their cell phone. 59% would not even think of lending their cell phone to a friend for a day. (2)
II. Audience Adaptation: There are 236 million cell phone subscribers in the United States. That’s 85% of the population. (3) Statistics say that 89% of Americans ages 18-34 own a cell phone. (1) That means that there is a good chance everyone in the room owns a cell phone. Cell phones have taken over our lives.
III. Proof of the dangers and talking on the cell phone hits close to home. (AA)
IV. Thesis: Although using cell phones has become an integral part of today’s society, it is necessary to keep in mind the importance of safety while using a cell phone while driving.
V. Preview of main points
a. Problem: The use of a cell phone while driving can lead to devastating tragedy.
b. Plan/policy: If each states recognizes and addresses the problem, then its possible for less accidents to occur.
c. Cure: Previous attempts at solving this issue have been unsuccessful and therefore, public awareness is needed.
d. Cost: The cost of saving lives in priceless.
Transition: Talking is so natural, so why would be holding a conversation over a phone be any different?
Body
I. Main point # 1: 80% of car accidents occur because of driver inattention. VA Tech Transportation Institute and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that the largest cause of inattention is cell phones followed by drowsiness. (3)
A. The tragedy of the Fairport angels is something we can relate to.
1. A text message sent at 10:06 to Bailey’s phone asking “What are you doing?” and the first 911 call was at 10:07. (7) (EA)
2. This distraction caused the driver to swerve into the opposite lane and crash into a tracker trailer at 60 mph. (7)
B. Cell phones reduce reaction time by 9%. (6)
C. According to a University of Utah study, maneuvering through traffic while using a cell phone makes the chance of an accident 5 times more likely. (6)
D. When talking on the phone, people are 18% slower in breaking as well as it took them 17% longer after breaking to regain speed. (3)
E. 73% of divers have or will talk on the phone while driving. (3)
F. 19% of people text while driving, according to Nationwide Mutual Insurance. (3)
G. According to the New York Times found that talking on a cell may reduce the ability of a driver to compensate for the mistakes made by other drivers. (4)
Transition: Government has the available resources and power.
II. Main point # 2: The government needs to take more of a responsibility.
A. Hands free phones are not the solution, as found throughout my research. (CR)
1. The problem is not because of holding of the cell phone but in the conversation. (6)
2. The University of Utah’s research found that when in a conversation, 50% of visual information is not processed. (6)
3. Palm pilots and Blackberries are also problematic.
4. You still have to take your hands off the road to dial in most cases.
5. Texting is also an issue, and that you need to look and type at the same time.
B. Laws against the use of cell phones while driving are in effect in New York, New Jersey, Washington DC, Connecticut, Washington and California. (3)
1. In California, hands free will also be banned in 2008. (3)
2. Washington is the first and only state to also ban texting. (3)
3. The rest of the states need to recognize cell phone use while driving as an issue and make laws against it.
4. Although cell phone use is not legal in NY, awareness still needs to be made, which is evident because of the Fairport girls.
C. Getting a ticket is a lighter punishment compared to other countries.
1. In the UK and Germany, you can lose your insurance coverage if you are in an accident due to the use of a cell phone. (3)
D. Driver’s education classes need to focus more on cell phone use. There needs to be more community support on the issue.
Transition: Society doesn’t accept drunk driving so why should talking on a cell phone be any different?
III. Main point # 3: If people realize the consequences of talking on a cell phone while driving, they may be less likely to do so.
A. Campaigns similar to those in support of wearing a seatbelt and against drunk driving need to be made for talking on a cell phone.
1. It has become common knowledge due to campaigns for these issues that driving drunk and not wearing a seatbelt is bad.
2. If taught from the beginning, and brought up that way, children will start to understand why talking on a cell phone is bad.
Transition: Cost should not be an issue.
IV. Main point # 4: A life has no price on it.
A. Funding for public campaigns can come from the tickets people can receive from getting caught talking on their phone.
1. If the laws were enforced then people would be afraid to use them.
2. “The convenience they offer must be judged against the hazards they pose.” (3)
Transition:
Conclusion.
I. Restate thesis
II. (Review main points)
A. Cell phones are dangerous to drivers, especially teenage ones.
B. If there is more of social acceptance of the actual consequences of talking and driving then maybe they would stop talking and driving.
B. If states made it illegal, funds could be used for campaigns.
C. There is no price on a life.
III. Katie should be where we are right now.
Bibliography
(4) Wald, Matthew L. Using Cellular Phones May Add to Road Risks. The New York Times. April 25, 1997.
(5) Tresniowski, Alex. A Grief beyond Words. People. July 16, 2007. 106-110.
(7) Palmer, Robert. Driver’s Cell Phone in use Just Before Crash that Kills 5 Fairport Grads. Democrat and Chronicle. July 13, 2007.
Jen, I really enjoyed reading over your outline I feel you picked a topic that can relate to everyone in our class. You had really good organization in your outline I'm looking forward to hearing you today!-Kelsie (After hearing you speech) I really like how you used a personal experience I feel like it really evoked some emotions in us as the classes emotions. I also thought you had really good organization when you were presenting your speech the only thing that I think you should work on for next time is your eye contact. Other than that I think you did really well!
Jen, great job on your speech today. It is a very important topic that must be addressed. I like your use of the personal story and it definitely enhanced your credibility. Maybe use more emotion in your voice next time and work on better eye contact. Good job though.
Jen, even thought it was a terrible tragedy the story you told really got me interested in your topic. It was a very good way to get the audience on your side. I thought you spoke very well and you were very easily heard. The only thing i would work on is your eye contact.
Jen, you had really good statistics on your topic. I love the topic since it really is a problem. Im sorry about your loss. Maybe next time make a little more eye contact, other then that great job!
Jen, you started well by giving a specific example by showing it through visual aid. You also spoke with much clarity. Great job. - Joe
Cell Phone Powerpoint.pptx
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