We all know texting and driving is dangerous. It is more so dangerous amongst teens than adults. Teens just have to have their information now. In 2010, 11% of young drivers involved in fatal crashes were caused by distraction; of that number, nearly one out of five were using cell phones, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Lets look at 5 ways as a parent you can help prevent your teen from texting and driving.
- Come to the realization that teens are going to text. In, fact research from Virginia Tech Transportation Institute has shown teen drivers are more likely to text than adults drivers especially in unsafe conditions.
- Research on the dangers, and risks of texting while driving. It is good to educated yourself. Did you know that taking your eyes of the road just for a second increases your risk of a crashing at least 23 times according to the research data from Virginia Tech Transportation Institute. It is like driving the equivalent length of a football field at 55 MPH with out looking.
- Create a plan to sit down and talk with your teen before you hand over the keys to the road. Set not rules, but expectations that you have for them in being a responsible, safe driver. Better yet devise a simple parent-teen contract between you and your teen to show the seriousness of driving safe not only for their safety but the safety of other drivers too.
- Install safe driving technology in your car, or purchase a car that features safe driving technology. Lets face it our teens are from a technological age. These features can help train/teach your teen to be a more responsible, more safe in their driving habits. They also can provide you feedback on how your teen drives, such as it can notify you if the driver keeps pressing on the brakes too hard. A sign of possibly not having full attention on the road, or following too closely.
- Lastly lead by example. Don’t text and drive yourself.