As a parent, it’s natural to worry about your teenager getting behind the wheel for the first time. But in today’s age of constant cell phone use, there’s another danger you need to be aware of: texting and driving.
How big of a problem is this? A recent study found that nearly 1 in 4 car accidents in the United States are caused by texting and driving.2 And teens are the most likely offenders; data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that drivers aged 16 to 19 are 3 times more likely than adults over 20 to be involved in a fatal crash where distraction was a factor.1
In 2018, 3,166 people were killed in car accidents involving a distracted driver2. Of those distracted drivers, 10% were reported to be using their phones at the time of the accident. Teenagers are the most likely to be involved in these types of accidents; in fact, 16% of all distracted driving accidents involve drivers between the ages of 15 and 19.2
What can you do as a parent to prevent your teen from texting and driving?
Here are a few tips:
-Talk to your teen about the dangers of texting and driving before they ever get behind the wheel. Make sure they understand that even one moment of distraction can have devastating consequences.
-Set strict rules about phone use while driving, and make sure your teen knows that there will be consequences if they disobey those rules.
-Lead by example—avoid using your own phone while driving, and don’t hesitate to point out other drivers who are doing it when you’re in the car together.
-Stay engaged with your teen’s life—if you see them using their phone while driving, or if you notice changes in their behavior behind the wheel, have a talk with them about it.
-Consider installing an app on your teen’s phone that will disable it while they’re driving. These apps typically work by detecting when the phone is moving at high speeds, and they can be an effective way to enforce no-phone rules.
Texting and driving is a serious problem among teenagers, but there are things you can do as a parent to help prevent it. Talk to your teen about the dangers of distracted driving, set strict rules and consequences for breaking those rules, lead by example, and stay engaged with their life behind the wheel. You may also want to consider installing an app that disables the phone while they’re driving. By taking these steps, you can help keep your teen safe on the road.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, April 26). Distracted driving. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/transportationsafety/distracted_driving/index.html
- Texting and driving accident statistics – distracted driving. edgarsnyder.com. (2019, August 8). https://www.edgarsnyder.com/car-accident/cause-of-accident/cell-phone/cell-phone-statistics.html#:~:text=The%20National%20Safety%20Council%20reports,caused%20by%20texting%20and%20driving.
