Assignment 7A: Testing the hypothesis 1

1.    Opportunity: Texting and driving has always been an issue especially in college towns where people neglect the speed limit.

Who:Students in college and drivers.

What:Danger of texting and driving.

Why:It is putting individuals in danger and those around them are put at risk as well.

Testing the who:Every student or person who lives in a college town has some sort of transportation, this will affect those whether it’s a car, a scooter, a bike.

Testing the what:There are ways that people have tried to improve on texting and driving like silencing their phone or connecting it to the car so no-hands mode can be used. 

Testing the why:The act of texting and driving remains and it tends to be the younger generation who is doing it more and putting those in danger.

2.    Hypothesis: I believe that the younger generation has found themselves too comfortable or are too confident in their abilities and engage in texting and driving more often. Not only are texters keeping their eyes glued to the phone rather than to the road, they are not being cautious of their surroundings and are putting themselves in danger along with those around.

3.    Interviews

a.    Hayley 

                                               i.     How often do you text and drive?

a.    Not often at all, I hate texting and driving and it scares me, I put my full attention on the road.

                                             ii.     Do you notice texting and driving more in a college town rather than at home?

a.    Yes definitely, students here drive recklessly regardless if they are on a scoot or in a car and they text and drive and the same time putting everyone in danger.

                                            iii.     Do you think law enforcement should be stricter on those who text and drive?

a.    Yes, I think that law enforcement neglects the places like college towns where the younger people tend to break  rules easier.

b.    Angelina

                                               i.     How often do you text and drive?

a.    I have done it a couple times when I am driving long distance but it is only when I know I am the only one on the road.

                                             ii.     Do you think texting and driving is a issue?

a.    Yes, I think texting and driving has been normalized for a while now and there should be more done to prevent it.

c.    Maddie

                                               i.     How often do you text and drive?

a.    Never, I’ve read so many articles about texting and driving and seen what It can do so I refuse to text and drive.

                                             ii.     Do your friends text and drive?

a.    As bad as it is, yes some of my friends do text and drive. Whenever I am in the car I make sure to take their phone when they need to text someone so they can focus on driving and I can send the text.

d.    Jade

                                               i.     How often do you text and drive?

a.    I’ve done it a handful of times and try to not do it.

                                             ii.     How often do you see others texting and driving?

a.    Way too often, I always see people on the highway going at least 70 MPH and having their phones in their hands. It is scary because all it takes is a quick turn or a swerve off their lane to cause intense damage.

e.    Kyle

                                               i.     How often do you text and drive?

a.    I’ve caught myself using my phone to switch music but I try to never text and drive.

                                             ii.     Do your friends text and drive?

a.    I know some of them do but not often. 

                                            iii.     How do you react when you see someone texting and driving?

a.    It gets me very mad because that person is putting everyone in danger but cutting in front of them or speeding past them won’t help because they are still distracted.

4.    Summary:

a.    After conducting my interviews, I have a better understanding on how others feel when texting and driving, how they feel when they see it and how often they participate in it. I think that texting and driving is one big category and there are other things that fall into it like glancing at your phone to switch the music. Any time that a person does not have their eyes on the road and they are looking at their phone is considered texting and driving and putting safety in danger. Although businesses have worked on accommodating the usage of phones in the car, for example, mounts for the phone and apps like car play. I still believe there is an opportunity for more to be done.