What Parents Can Do to End Distracted Driving by Teens

Let’s start with a few frightening facts:

• Teen drivers, those who are most vulnerable to distractions, has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted.
• Twenty-five percent of teens admit that they respond to a text message once or more every time they drive. Twenty percent of teens admit that they have extended, multi-message text conversations while driving
• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2013, 3,154 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involv­ing distracted drivers.
• There were 424,000 people injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted driving.

What is Distracted Driving?

Distracted driving is any activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety. These types of distractions include:

• Texting
• Using a cell phone or smartphone
• Eating and drinking
• Talking to passengers
• Grooming
• Reading, including maps
• Using a navigation system
• Watching a video
• Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player

Texting is by far the most dangerous activity because it requires visual, manual, and cognitive attention from the driver.

What Can Parents Do to Stop Distracted Driving by Teens?

While parents cannot eliminate distracted driving by teens, there are steps parents can take:

· Be a good role model. While few would admit it, our teenagers tend to copy us. If they see you texting or engaging in distracted behavior while driving, your teens will likely do it to. So set a good example when you drive. Remember, our children are more likely to copy what we do, not what we say.

· Talk to your teen driver. Discuss what it means to be a safe driver and set ground rules for when they’re behind the wheel. If your teen is on the road, they should stay off the phone.

· Remind your teens that driving is a privilege. If they cannot drive safely, they will lose that privilege.

· Take the pledge. The NHTSA has established a pledge program tasking drivers not to engage in distracted driving. Take the pledge as a family.

We have more information and a copy of the No Distracted Driving Pledge Form as well as information sheets for parents and for teens at our website. Click here to learn more. You can also go to the NHTSA website for more information.

Let’s be safe out there. End distracted driving. Just drive.

Carol L. Schlitt

The Schlitt Law Firm

Long Island Personal Injury Attorney
www.SchlittLaw.com
1-800-660-1466
contact@SchlittLaw.com