More than three out of four kids aged 12 to 17 own a cell phone and have access to the internet from a mobile device, according to research from the Pew Research Internet Project. The average U.S. teen sends and receives more than 30 texts per day.
Considering how much time today’s teens spend staring into a tiny screen, the numbers aren’t all that surprising. But if you think about how much time teens spend driving to and from school, activities, and events, it’s pretty clear that many of these texts are read and written while driving. According to TextingAndDrivingSafety.com, 34 percent of teens admit to texting while driving. And those are just the ones who admit it.
It’s dangerous no matter who you are, but especially for teens, who have a higher accident rate to begin with. That’s why 39 states have made texting and driving illegal.
Talk with your teens about distracted driving
The combination of inexperience and overconfidence can have serious consequences for many teen drivers. The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration estimates that 16 percent of all distracted driving crashes involve drivers under 20. In addition, teenage drivers have the highest proportion of fatal crashes tied to distracted driving. Eleven teen driving deaths per day are related to texting.
What can a worried parent do?
1. Model good driving.
Children imitate their parents, even at the earliest ages. With this in mind, sett a good example for your children whenever you are behind the wheel. Model good driving behaviors such as using turn signals, wearing seat belts, and avoiding distractions.
2. Discuss driving expectations.
Set expectations for your teens about distracted driving. As they meet expectations, reward them with new privileges. The National Safety Council’s Contract to Drive is one tool you and your teens can use to have conversations about expectations and rewards.
3. Practice driving with them.
By riding with your teen, you may help them gain the experience and confidence they need in a variety of driving situations. Many states also require supervised driving time as part of a graduated driver’s license (GDL). (View your state’s license requirements.)
Even if (let’s face it: when) you get the eyerolls and exasperated sighs, it’s important to pursue the conversation. Learning to pay attention and make safe decisions is a skill that’s useful in lots of areas of life, not just driving.
For more information
Call us at Pardridge Insurance (815-758-4447) for all your insurance needs and questions. We are here Monday through Saturday.
For more tips about driving safely, visit the Front Porch blog on grinnellmutual.com.
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