Focus Group Guide Essay

Lenora Lubega Introduction Hello, my name is Lenora Lubega and I would like to welcome all of you to our focus discussion group. I will be the moderator. Our purpose for meeting today is to discuss ‘hands-free’ cellular telephone use while driving in the State of Tennessee, and to get your feedback on how you feel about the driving while using a cellular device. This focus group’s intent is to openly and discuss the question: â€Å"Should the State of Tennessee require ‘hands-free’ cellular phone use in automobiles? Everyone here this evening is an automobile driver living in the State of Tennessee. This will be a short discussion that will require an hour and thirty minutes of your time to complete. Our time will be very limited; and we will not take a break. The restrooms are conveniently located at either end of the hall. I would like to remind you that this session is highly confidential. Once this session ends, no one’s name will be used in any way outside of this group. Everyone signed consent forms to participate in tonight’s discussion. If there is anyone here that has not signed a consent form, please do so before we began tonight’s discussion or you will not be allowed to participate in this discussion group. For transcription purposes of the discussion there will be an audio recording. I will listen to the recording and prepare my final summary of our focus group accordingly. This will be an informal discussion group. You are encouraged to ask any questions or make any comments that you feel are pertinent to our discussion. Please speak freely, and if anything is unclear, please ask. The intent of this focus group is to ask, listen, and observe. As stated in the consent, please keep everyone’s identities and response confidential once you leave the group. We want to encourage oneness and honesty for everyone involved. We will begin this discussion by finding out a little bit more about each another. If I could have everyone give their name or a nickname, your occupation, and the type of cell phone that you own. I will go first and we will proceed to my right. Data Collection Warm-up Discussion: If you could take out a piece of paper and write a short paragraph on an experience you have had in dealing with drivers who are distracted by the use of a cell phone. Next I will like to ask if you, yourself us a hands free device with your cell phone? Have you used any of the newer apps that allow you to talk and text? Is it burdensome or easy to do? Does your car have a synchronizing device? How often do you us it? Secondary Research: An estimated 3,092 traffic fatalities in 2010 were blamed on distracted drivers, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. More than one in six drivers send text messages while driving, and nearly half of drivers less than 25 years old are doing it, according to a NHTSA survey released last week. â€Å"This is becoming the new DUI,† said Robert Sumwalt, a member of the safety board. â€Å"It’s becoming an epidemic. † The District of Columbia and 35 states ban text messaging for all drivers, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association. They should be made to us a hands free device or something of the like Tasha Fider: I would create a standardized audio output jack, not unlike the one available for iPods and iPhones today (which is actually a data jack), and mandate that all mobile phone manufacturers have it on each new phone that is created. Moreover, I would mandate that all future automobiles have a docking system that is adaptable to any kind of phone whatsoever. I would even mandate that current cars still on the line right now be fitted for such a docking system. I know it would be a hassle, and would put a few more dollars on everyone’s monthly car note, but I am considering the safety of our future. Anything that saves lives is worth the effort as well as the money invested into creating the technology. Renee Partida: my opinion is simple, there is no need to be using your cell phone whether text or calling or face booking while driving. I think people should us a hands-free devices they were made for that reason. I’ve seen too many people hurt while driving using their cell phones. I was in the car with a girl that dropped her’s and while driving tried to pick it up. Ruth Ellen Galgano: Once I was driving down 65 north bound and saw this lady on her phone. She was clam but as soon as the kids started fighting she became very distracted with driving. There are so many things that can and will distract driving we don’t need to have one more and cells phones are adding another problem to the long list that already exist. I would love to see the law changed on this issue. Jessica McClanahan I use to live in NY, all use of cell phones while driving is against the law including calling and text. I just honestly want to be allowed to slap idiots that know it’s against the law yet do so and I see them make several driving mistakes that only underage drivers should make like cutting someone off and not making a complete stop at stop signs. They should get their licenses revoked and cell phones stomped on! Tabitha Jerome: (She did not show up. We waited for ? hour but she never came) Specific Discussion Richard Johnson 1. How do you currently view driving while talking on the cell phone without a hands-free device? Yes, I was planning to by one but have not gotten around to it. 2. Does talking on a phone while driving seem safe, or can it lead to low driving performance? Not all the time. Why? When I am dialing the number I often find that I am not in my lane and have come very close to having an accident from time to time. Why not? 3. Of the different things involved with making or receiving a call, which task contributes most to bad driving? Making the call. You must look at the phone to dial the number and that causes your attention to be taken off the road. 4. Is it searching for the phone? Not for me, I often have my phone in the middle of the car. What about dialing? Yes, that is my biggest issue. Talking? No, I use speaker phone. Is it hanging up? No I simply let the other person hang up and my phone will hang up automattly. Or receiving the call? Sometime. 5. How do you feel the state of Tennessee should respond? Laws must be made and enforced. The issue is most driving laws are never enforced here. 6. Should the state mandate hands-free devices for driving? Why do you feel the way you do? Yes, but the phone companies need to do something to help with the cost to the customer. 7. Do you think a hands-free device would make a difference in road safety? Not really. How so? Most people will not use it if it is user friendly. Tasha Fider 1. How do you currently view driving while talking on the cell phone without a hands-free device? Dangerous 2. Does talking on a phone while driving seem safe, or can it lead to low driving performance? No *she did not give any more info, she did not seem to want to be here* 3. Of the different things involved with making or receiving a call, which task contributes most to bad driving? Both 4. Is it searching for the phone? Yes What about dialing? Yes, I think so. Talking? Yes, for sure. Is it hanging up? Yes it can be. Or receiving the call? No 5. How do you feel the state of Tennessee should respond? It is hard to say, I don’t agree with making laws to do so. We are force to do everything. I think we should be able to drive safe. 6. Should the state mandate hands-free devices for driving? Why do you feel the way you do? No they should not. I don’t like the government telling me what I can or cannot do. 7. Do you think a hands-free device would make a difference in road safety? How so? Yes, it could help but only if it is used. Renee Partida 1. How do you currently view driving while talking on the cell phone without a hands-free device? I view it as a health hazard 2. Does talking on a phone while driving seem safe, or can it lead to low driving performance? It is not safe. It can and has killed people and I think a person doing it should be charged with murder. It is not safe. Why? It kills. Why not? 3. Of the different things involved with making or receiving a call, which task contributes most to bad driving? Making the call, although, answering the phone can be just as dangerous. 4. Is it searching for the phone? Yes What about dialing? Yes Talking? Yes Is it hanging up? Yes Or receiving the call? Yes, all these things contribute to unsafe driving. 5. How do you feel the state of Tennessee should respond? Laws need to be enforced. 6. Should the state mandate hands-free devices for driving? Why do you feel the way you do? Yes they should. I hate to see people killed by stupid things people do that are so very avoidable. 7. Do you think a hands-free device would make a difference in road safety? How so? I do. If people use them the danger would be lessened. Ruth Ellen Galgano 1. How do you currently view driving while talking on the cell phone without a hands-free device? I find that if a person is responsible they can do it without any issues. The problem comes in when you have people who are not responsible. Most of the time, I find that people will do one of two things, ignore the call or take it. If they take it, they will cause an accident. 2. Does talking on a phone while driving seem safe, or can it lead to low driving performance? Why? Why not? It seems safe as long as the person is paying attention to the road and not the call. A lot of what we do on the phone is for fun, it is only when the call is serious that it can be a problem. Their attention is turned to the call and not the road. 3. Of the different things involved with making or receiving a call, which task contributes most to bad driving? I would have to say, making the call. 4. Is it searching for the phone? Not really What about dialing? Yes, that is the big problem. You cannot watch the road and dial a number at the same time. Talking? Not really. Is it hanging up? I don’t think so. Or receiving the call? It can really be hard to take a call while driving. Sometime the phone can fall on the floor of the car and you try to pick it up. 5. How do you feel the state of Tennessee should respond? I think we should allow people to do what’s right and not make any new laws at this time. Although the statistic show more people die from using the phone I think it would be safe if we just use caution. 6. Should the state mandate hands-free devices for driving? No Why do you feel the way you do? I just don’t like it when I am told, by law, what to do. 7. Do you think a hands-free device would make a difference in road safety? It might if the person uses. How so? If the person never uses it what would be the point? Jessica McClanahan 1. How do you currently view driving while talking on the cell phone without a hands-free device? It is a dangerous practice, to say the least. I know different states are different, but I think TN says it is not legal to do it without a hands-free device. 2. Does talking on a phone while driving seem safe, or can it lead to low driving performance? Why? Why not? It does not seem safe, and it can lead to low driving performance, since full attention is not given to all the hands and foot motion of driving (not to mention attention to the surroundings) 3. Of the different things involved with making or receiving a call, which task contributes most to bad driving? I think making a call contributes most to bad driving 4. Is it searching for the phone? What about dialing? Talking? Is it hanging up? Or receiving the call? Dialing 5. How do you feel the state of Tennessee should respond? The state should mandate mobile phone manufacturers to make a safety modification to all new phones 6. Should the state mandate hands-free devices for driving? Why do you feel the way you do? Yes. It should also impose stiff penalties for those who do not comply. The state is responsible for the safety of its citizens. 7. Do you think a hands-free device would make a difference in road safety? How so? Yes I do. It would save lives. Tabitha Jerome (She did not show up. We waited for ? hour but she never came) 1. How do you currently view driving while talking on the cell phone without a hands-free device? 2. Does talking on a phone while driving seem safe, or can it lead to low driving performance? Why? Why not? 3. Of the different things involved with making or receiving a call, which task contributes most to bad driving? 4. Is it searching for the phone? What about dialing? Talking? Is it hanging up? Or receiving the call? 5. How do you feel the state of Tennessee should respond? 6. Should the state mandate hands-free devices for driving? Why do you feel the way you do? 7. Do you think a hands-free device would make a difference in road safety? How so? Summary We are at the end of our discussion. Today we have shared our personal views in detail on this topic. With all our newly acquired information, together with our personal feelings, let us imagine the president of AAA entering this room. Let us each give 30 seconds of advice his company should consider regarding support of a law requiring hands-free devices for cell phones while driving in the state of Tennessee. If in favor of the law, state what elements of law you think should be included in the law and which should not. If opposed to the law, do likewise, and give personal reasons why. Now is your chance to make a big difference in something you believe in. Please write this brief statement to AAA. Include what you think of legislation and the specific elements of law that should be involved. If against it, please speak out. List reasons either way. This legislation could make all the difference for you or your family, so please answer honestly. Summary of Metting Our focus group was held at the La Vergne, TN public library. The date was Sunday, March 4, 2012 at 4 p. m. Most of the participants arrived on time, but one did not come at all. Another one arrived extremely late, and with an irritable attitude. Refreshments were served. Everyone seemed okay with the idea of being there, and light, friendly chit chatter occurred. The meeting was called to order, and everyone eagerly participated. Ideas flowed freely. There were opinions the entire spectrum. Some were in agreement with the state of Tennessee coming up with moderate laws governing cellular phone usage while driving. Others were diabolically opposed to the idea. One person became feisty and almost bellicose in her expression of her view. She said she had a ‘real problem’ with the government trying to ‘run her life’. We all understood what she meant. When we were able to calm her down, the discussion continued without incident. Each person felt that something was needed but no one really could agree on what that â€Å"something† should be. It seems that much more discussion is needed on the topic. I would recommend that the state fund more groups meetings and have a smaller group to find a solution to the matter. It is my recommendation that we all meet again in a month to see if any opinions have changed. The meeting was closed, and everyone politely bid each other adieu, and we went home.