Informative Speech on Distracted Driving

Specific purpose: To inform my audience about the dangers of distracted driving.

Thesis statement: Distracted driving is the leading cause of accidents and injuries in the United States.

Introduction

Attention-getting device:

Ever since cell phones and other forms of technology have become more and more mainstream, the risks of distracted driving have gone up and up to an alarming rate.

Credibility:

According to the United States Department of Transportation, texting can take a person’s attention away for an average of 4.5 seconds. This is the equivalent of driving the entire length of a football field at around 45 miles per hour.

Thesis:

Distracted driving is one of the leading cause of car accidents and related injuries in the United States.

Preview:

Within the next few minutes I’m going to provide you with information about distracted driving through discussing statistics, what counts as distracted driving, and what you can do to avoid accidents caused by distracted driving.

 [Transition:]

        First, let me tell you what distracted driving is.

Body

1. Definition of Distracted Driving

1. ‘Distracted Driving’ is an umbrella term. It does not mean simply texting and driving
2. According to a report published by the United States Department of Transportation, distracted driving is defined as “any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving.”
3. Distracted Driving is the leading cause of motor vehicle crashes in America according to a study done by “The Journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society”. The second leading cause is drunk drivers.
4. Types of Distracted Driving

1. As listed on Distraction.gov, the types of distracted driving are

1. Texting or taking calls
2. Eating or drinking
3. Talking to others in the car
4. Grooming oneself
5. Browsing the internet
6. Using GPS
7. Changing radio or climate settings

[Transition]: Now, I’m going to throw some numbers and statistics of distracted driving at you.

1. Accident Statistics

1. Around 6,000 deaths occur each year, caused by distracted driving, “Cellphone and Texting Accident Statistics” says.

1. These are just the crashes caused by distracted driving, not including drunk drivers or pedestrian accidents.

1. The same source also states that about half a million injuries occur each year due to distracted driving.
2. Percentages from “Cellphone and Texting Accident Statistics”

1. 13% of people said they have actively searched the web while driving
2. 37% of people admit they have texted whilst driving on one or more occasions.
3. 86% have admitted to eating food or drink while driving.

1. While multitasking might have its benefits, it is best not done when driving a 2-ton machine.

[Transition]: Finally, let’s talk about some of the ways we can prevent distracted driving.

1. Prevention

1. Education

1. The United States Department of Transportation states that the best way to prevent distracted driving is to educate the public.
2. This might seem nice in theory, but millions of Americans already know the risks of distracted driving and continue to do it regardless of the dangers.

1. Time Management

1. Another way to prevent distraction while driving is to plan out things better. An example would be maybe waking up earlier and making breakfast instead of going through a drive-thru and then eating while driving.
2. Another way to decrease distracted driving is to understand that whoever you are talking to can wait until you are done driving.

1. Technology

1. Technology is also adapting to help combat distracted driving.

1. For example, if you have an iPhone it has the option of Do Not Disturb While Driving on it. This feature can be set up to automatically text back anyone who texts you while you are driving and let them know that you will get back to them when you are done.
2. Newer cars are also implementing phone integration, which allows people to respond to their texts using their voice, which is a much safer alternative than picking up the phone.

[Transition]: Now that we have all the data, let me summarize the main points.

Conclusion

Review of main ideas: Today I have informed you of what distracted driving is, how bad it is becoming, and what is being done to stop it.

Concluding Remarks: So as you leave the University today, I hope you’ll make good choices and don’t drive distracted.

Works Cited

Cellphone and Texting Accident Statistics. Pittsburg: Edgar Snyder & Associates, 2012. Web.         http://www.edgarsnyder.com/car-accident/cell-phone/cell-phone-statistics.html