We’ve all done it.
You get a text or email on your phone, and without thinking you look at your phone to check it, completely oblivious to the fact that you’re operating a one-ton vehicle at 45 miles per-hour.
Most people would realize soon enough the danger of their actions and quickly put down the phone, but unfortunately, “most people” is not everybody. And even more unfortunately, the people most likely to actively make a decision to drive while texting are those who have the least experience driving in the first place: teenagers.
Reports of accidents caused by distracted driving have risen significantly in the past few years
For today’s teens, being constantly connected and in-touch seems to have become a right of passage. Everyone wants the hottest new phone or gadget, and thanks in large part to the new technology, kids are finding it easier and easier to stay in touch with one another. The problem with that though is the added expectation of being constantly available, and the myriad ways in which people can reach you, many of which are now all aggregated into smart phones. In fact, a recent survey found that most distracted driving issues amongst teens are caused by them simply not wanting to be out of touch.
Just think of all the ways a teen’s smart phone could distract them without any initiative on their part: text message, phone call, email, and thousands of different apps that will send distracting messages right to your phone, like Facebook, RSS feeds, sports updates, Twitter apps, and any app that allows its users to message one-another.
Just think about it. Texting while driving has quickly reached such impossible-to-ignore levels that it seems we barely even hear any more about the dangers of plain-old cellphone use while driving.
So how do you stop your teen from distracted driving or help to ensure they don’t start? For one, positive messages always are more effective than negative ones, so try to explain to your teen how much it makes YOU worry. Reinforce how you care for their safety. Just telling them that it’s dangerous will not have an effect on them. Kids aren’t stupid. They know it’s dangerous! But if you make sure they realize you are worried about it, they will be more likely to think twice.
Another great method is getting your teen some sort of hands-free calling device. Ideally, if you happen to be in the search for a car, look for a car with Bluetooth. Friends will find it very cool, which means your teen will be more likely to use it. And most cars will activate it the moment your phone comes within range. Best of all, Bluetooth, is available on many entry-level vehicles at the standard trim level, so you don’t have to splurge to get a vehicle with Bluetooth integrated. And if you’re not in the market for a car, Bluetooth earpieces are very inexpensive and easy to use now too.
For teens, technology equals status. So buying them a Bluetooth earpiece and encouraging them to make phone calls instead of texting while they are driving can go a long way toward ensuring your teenager’s safety.
