Texting while Driving: Rewards vs. Penalties

Many drivers are nonchalant when it comes to distracted driving. We all misjudge our driving experience and underestimate driving conditions. We drive familiar routes to work and home forgetting that anything can happen at any given moment. Driving is an activity that requires full concentration. Drivers have been discouraged from driving while impaired by prescription pills as well as being under emotional duress.

Recently, the Star Ledger wrote a piece entitled “Impose serious penalties for cell phone use while driving: Editorial” highlighting the effects of distracted driving in the State of NJ. They cited a couple of extreme examples where distracted driving led to loss of life and property damage.  Clearly not enough is being done to prevent distracted driving. The article calls for greater fines equivalent to the penalties that drivers would receive for driving drunk. Blame has been placed on legislation as well as our current culture of driving.

What is the best way to deal with this situation?

In the comments on this article, many readers were upset about the hypocrisy of police officers and politicians because they also participate in distracted driving and are only pretending to care. Readers also suggested new technologies that would disable cellphones while the car is in motion. They also suggested car insurance companies to offer discounts for drivers who don’t use cellphones while driving.

Last year, AT&T created the’ It Can Wait’ campaign featuring commercials with individuals who were affected by distracted driving. The campaign also included a pledge for individuals to sign promising that they will not text and drive. The campaign highlighted how simple texts messages can destroy a driver’s life.

Because of the distraced driving crisis, the Drive Alive app was created. This is a creative solution to our growing problem. This free app, currently available for Droid, is an incentive program that rewards drivers who DO NOT use their cell phone while driving. Motorists prove they drive phone free by running the Drive Alive App while driving. Users can earn rewards like cash, deposited into their PayPal accounts, gift-cards, and more. These rewards act as the incentive to drive safely. This app targets society’s need for rewards and instant gratification.

However, should we be rewarded for doing the right thing? We all forget that driving is a privilege, not a right.