Mariah was in an accident and lost her life because
She was talking on the phone asking for directions
She missed her exit and made an illegal turn
She was trying to answer a text on her phone
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is: She was trying to answer a text on her phone.
Using a mobile phone while driving, whether for texting, calling, or looking for directions, significantly increases the risk of accidents. Texting while driving is particularly dangerous because it involves manual, visual, and cognitive distractions, which take a driver’s attention away from the road. A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has shown that texting while driving is a major cause of accidents, as it can impair a driver’s ability to react quickly to road hazards, other vehicles, or changing traffic conditions.
In Mariah’s case, attempting to answer a text while driving could have led to her not noticing important details about her surroundings, such as an upcoming turn, another vehicle’s actions, or changes in traffic signals. Even a brief moment of distraction can result in catastrophic outcomes. Texting while driving is often equated to driving with a significantly delayed reaction time, similar to that of a driver who is intoxicated.
Beyond the immediate physical dangers, texting while driving also has legal and ethical consequences. Many states have enacted laws that specifically prohibit texting while driving, considering it a form of negligent driving. This law aims to reduce the number of accidents caused by distracted driving.
In contrast, talking on the phone (hands-free) or missing an exit may still pose a risk, but they generally do not involve the same level of cognitive distraction as texting. Making an illegal turn also carries risks, but it may not directly correlate with Mariah’s tragic situation as strongly as trying to answer a text message while driving.
The primary takeaway is that distracted driving—especially texting—poses a serious and preventable danger. Educating drivers on the risks and enforcing laws that discourage texting while driving are essential steps in reducing accidents and fatalities.