The Online Newspaper of Lakewood High School

Lakewood Times

Lakewood Times

Lakewood Times

    Phones While Driving are Gone

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    Paying attention to the road while fighting the urge to send that message can be difficult. And that is why a significant law was approved in Lakewood.

    As of December 2nd, it will be illegal to be operating a motor vehicle with a mobile device in your hand. It was passed by City Council in early September.

    According to the NHTSA, in 2017, there were 3,166 confirmed deaths from distracted driving. The NHTSA also stated that texting while driving is the biggest distraction while driving because of how quickly your brain changes its focus. The fact that humans are more concerned about getting that text sent rather than being alive is scary for our society.

    These deaths created fear in the city of Lakewood because of how densely populated it is.  People driving to work, restaurants, and school everyday. The continuum of being able to have your phone will only cause more deaths for Lakewood and many other communities.

    According to the New York Post, the average person checks their phone 80 times a day. This equals out to about once every 12 minutes.  If someone is driving on a 20 minute drive they are guaranteed check their phone at least one time.  The need for change in our habits is why Lakewood has passed the law; in hopes to stop all ages from using a phone while operating a motor vehicle.

    When talking to Ethan Daniels, a student at Lakewood High School he had to say, “When I’m driving and I receive a text, for that moment it seems more important than the road.”

    Knowing that checking your phone for a quick second can cost you your life, why must you do it? This is because in today’s society phones have distanced us from reality and what is important to us.

    Lakewood passing this law brings us closer to the reality that we could die any second if we choose to answer that text. Be safe, smart, and just wait until you’ve made it to your destination!

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