Teach teens the dangers of distracted driving
(ARA) — Windows down, music turned up, friends giggling in the back seat, freedom … it’s the moment all teenagers dream of — getting their drivers license.
Teen drivers are often euphoric with this new sense of independence. After all, getting a drivers license is a big rite of passage. Teens are inundated, and rightfully so, with statistics and horrific stories that point to the dangers of driving while intoxicated. However, new research shows that distracted driving is among the leading causes of auto accidents, and the problem is getting worse. “Although laws have been put into place in the spirit of eliminating dangerous distractions for drivers, it’s critical that parents, teachers and influencers at large talk to teenagers about the dangers of driving distracted,” says Duke Daugherty, vice president of auto at Fireman’s Fund Insurance. “It seems harmless to take your eyes off the road for a few seconds to send a text, or change the station, but those few seconds could cost the loss of lives, and a lifetime of angst.”
Research complied by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that distracted driving caused 6,000 deaths and 500,000 injuries in 2008. And data shows that these numbers are continuing to grow.
In general, three types of distractions are most dangerous for teenagers on the road. These distractions can be visual (actions that require drivers to take their eyes off the road), manual (actions that require taking hands off the steering wheel) or cognitive (actions that require drivers to take their minds off what they’re doing).
Discuss and stress the following driving guidelines:
• Keep both hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road (use mirrors).
• Avoid cell phone use – Cell phones are the number one distraction for teenager drivers.
• Encourage teenagers to avoid using their phones, for anything at all, until they are safely pulled off the road and parked. Devices are available to disable cell phone use in autos.
Drivers younger than age 20 represent the highest proportion of distracted drivers involved in fatal crashes, according to the National Automotive Sampling System (NASS).
Teenagers should also refrain from the following activities while driving, according to the US Department of Transportation:
• Eating and drinking;
• Having lengthy or involved discussions with passengers;
• Grooming;
• Reading (including maps);
• Using a PDA or navigation system;
• Watching a video; and/or
• Changing the radio station, CD or MP3 player.
It only takes one simple distraction to cause a potentially fatal car accident. Remind your teenagers to avoid participating in distracted driving activities, and to be advocates for their own safety and their peers as well.
