English Composition I C455 - Task 3 PDF

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1Running head: ENGLISH COMPOSITION TASK 3PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT —Task 3 Western Governors UniversityEnglish Composition Task 3There has been an alarming increase in the number of deaths of pedestrians in Nevada. The number of pedestrian fatalities has increased by five to ten each year since 2011. H...

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1 Running head: ENGLISH COMPOSITION TASK 3

PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT —Task 3 Western Governors University

ENGLISH COMPOSITION TASK 3

2 English Composition Task 3

There has been an alarming increase in the number of deaths of pedestrians in Nevada. The number of pedestrian fatalities has increased by five to ten each year since 2011. However, in 2017, it jumped to 99, from 80 the year before. (Nevada highway safety performance plan, 2017; Nevada pedestrian fatalities rise in 2017, 2018). Pedestrian fatalities are a major problem in Nevada due to distracted driving, technology, and pedestrian error. Distracted driving is a major cause of pedestrian fatalities. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) states that distracted driving accounted for 3,166 deaths in the United States in 2017 alone. Distractions such as radio controls and other car dashboard concerns have been around for ages. With the onset of fast food and coffee houses, more and more drivers are eating and drinking while driving. Many drivers think they “can handle” the road with their food and drink, but it only takes one bitten tongue or spill of hot coffee before a swerve is made, overcorrection occurs, and unexpected lane change, and the driver is not in control of the vehicle, including approaching an intersection with unwary pedestrian. Technology has increased the distraction with cell phones. Holding the phone while talking on it and/or reading text messages are both major causes of distracted driving. It takes an average of five seconds to read a text message. At 55 mph, a vehicle will have traveled the length of a football field in that time! (Pedestrian Safety, 2017) It’s not just distracted drivers. Distracted pedestrians are a major cause of pedestrian fatalities as well. Too many pedestrians are using their cell phones and Bluetooth headphones while walking. Whether listening to music, engaged in a phone call, or even watching a movie, pedestrians are using this technology at an alarming rate. They’re walking, using their

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technology and not paying attention. This allows them to wander into traffic and prevents them from being aware of oncoming vehicles. The lack of technology plays a dangerous role in pedestrian fatalities, as well. Most of Nevada’s roadways were built after World War II. Most families have owned a vehicle since then, so the streets were not built small and walkable. In fact, in Clark County, Nevada’s largest metropolitan area, major arterial streets are built one mile apart from each other. Most of these big, wide streets have six lanes, and eight to ten at intersections. There can be three-fourths of a mile between intersections where it’s legal to cross these busy streets. Perhaps more than any other cause of pedestrian fatalities is pedestrian error. 80% of pedestrian fatalities were caused by pedestrian error in 2016. (Program attempts to curb pedestrian deaths through education, 2017) An exorbitant number of pedestrians are jaywalking, that is, crossing the street other than at an intersection or crosswalk. Drivers are not expecting a pedestrian in these areas, and are therefore less likely to observe one, even in the middle of the road. There are still other pedestrians that actually do cross at a crosswalk, but with a “Don’t Walk” sign beaming, without looking, or without caring about the oncoming vehicle. It’s as if they think the crosswalk is somehow a “force field” that will grant them protection from the thousands of pounds of metal speeding towards them. Pedestrian error is also at fault in many pedestrian fatalities due to alcohol use. While walking while intoxicated is not necessarily a crime in many areas, it does impair the pedestrian’s judgement. Whether wandering out into the street or crossing against the street light(s) and Don’t Walk sign, alcohol can greatly affect the pedestrian ability to properly cross the street.

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Factors that contribute to pedestrian fatalities in Nevada are distracted driving, technology, and pedestrian error. Drivers must make efforts to pay more attention to driving. Put away their food and drink and leave the cell phone in their pocket. Pedestrians, too, must keep the phone in their pockets, and headphones off their head until they’re safely stopped somewhere. Administrators must provide more infrastructure to accommodate pedestrians. Those pedestrians need to pay attention to signage and location, ensuring to cross the street only where it is legal and when it is safe to do so.

ENGLISH COMPOSITION TASK 3

5 References

2017 Nevada highway safety performance plan. (2017). Page 52. Office of Traffic Safety. Retrieved from http://ots.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/otsnvgov/content/Resources/2017_Highway_Safety_Perf ormance_Plan_FINAL.pdf Nevada pedestrian fatalities rise in 2017 while overall traffic fatalities decline. (2018, January 3). Nevada Department of Transportation. Retrieved from https://www.nevadadot.com/Home/Components/News/News/2382/395 Pedestrian safety. (2017, May 24). CDC. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/pedestrian_safety/index.html Program attempts to curb pedestrian deaths through education. (2017, November 19). 8 News Now. Retrieved from https://www.8newsnow.com/news/program-attempts-tocurb-pedestrian-deaths-through-education/...