“It could never happen to me!” Unfortunately, this is the attitude of some teens who think they will not get hurt or hurt someone else while texting and driving. Teens text practically everywhere…including in the car when they are supposed to be concentrating on the road. Distracted driving often leads to car accidents and some degree of personal injury.
Parents need to discuss the dangers of texting while driving with their teen drivers. They need to know that there are real cases of people who texted while driving and were involved in horrible accidents. The National Safety Council estimates there are 200,000 car crashes a year due to texting while driving.
Teen drivers are already vulnerable to accidents due to their inexperience on the road. Distractions such as cell phones and transporting a car full of teens can heighten the possibility of auto accidents. Parents who sit down with their children and educate them about the dangers of driving and texting can really help their kids to stop and think about the ramifications of this dangerous practice.
Teens need to realize that texting while driving is just as distracting as drunk driving. Their eyes are not on the road and they cannot see what person or thing is in their path while reading and sending messages on their cell phone. Parents should encourage their children to take a firm stand and encourage their friends not to text while driving and not ride with them if they do.
Parents should talk with their children about the hard facts associated with distracted driving. Open conversations from a place of love and concern coupled with good information are important ways to inform and help protect kids from the dangers of texting and driving.
*Photo Courtesy of Jason Weaver via Creative Commons License