Reducing Distracted Driving

About 3,000 teens die every year in car accidents and approximately 20 % of 16 year-olds will be involved in a traffic accident their first year of driving. Driving habits amongst teen has become more of a concern with the abundant use of technology, specifically cell phones, as has been in the past. Adolescents have become more distracted due to the use of texting and involvement with social media. These distractions can be reduced and possibly eliminated through the means of education and developing some simple habits of mind. Many simple habits can be utilized and developed to allow a teenage driver not being distracted.

Although many driver education courses now include training discouraging texting and driving, many adults who are parents of teens should also be required to complete this comprehensive piece of coursework. Parents lead by example and often times, think that since they are more experienced, looking at their cell phone once and awhile when driving is acceptable when it is not. Even if the information is simply serving as a reminder, the consequences surrounding texting and driving are those which should always be kept at the forefront even for more experienced drivers such as parents.

Online media showing the implications of texting or using social media when driving can be powerful. Videos, personal stories, and consequences involving injury, cost, and even death can sometimes be an eye-opening experience. Many teens are aware of these implications, but does not always resonate if it is something not identified with. Seeing a fellow teen who is disabled or who has lost a friend from their poor choices when driving can really cause one to feel empathetic. Watching something role-played about the excitement that is associated with popular characteristics involved with social media and how that can be distracting should be a part of this educational process. Driving is a privilege that once hindered or lost can be taken for granted. Most teens value this privilege and would not want cost to interfere or cause it to be taken away.

It takes on average 17-21 days to establish or break a habit. There are a few habits that teenage drivers can implement like I do, every time they get behind the wheel. Not every adolescent drives a vehicle that has Bluetooth capability. But when a teen gets into their vehicle, one habit that they can always do is set their phone to have an automatic reply stating that they are driving and will get back to the person if someone either calls or texts. This respectfully sends a message communicating to the sender to not continue to reach out and to wait until the driver is able to connect with them even if it much later or a somewhat pressing matter. Many social media platforms such as Snapchat and Instagram involves taking a photo of oneself in the moment and posting it immediately. If a teen driver feels compelled to do so, this can be done prior to and after reaching the intended destination. A habit of mind for teens to develop is that if a call, text, or social media post needs to take place, pulling the vehicle over and stopping first serves as a safe means of good roadside tactics.

Listening to music is a great way to pass the time, especially when driving. However often times, one sees drivers, quite many of them teens, enjoying music with some type of earbud listening device. Like many state laws that ban the use of talking on cell phones, the use of earbuds when driving should fall into the same category. Since this has not been established, then teens should have a self-designated rules like I have to not even have them in the vehicle. Hearing various sounds when driving could potentially prevent certain accidents and makes drivers more aware of their surroundings when on the road. I also have a habit of turning down my music while driving when I am in town or approaching any type of intersection.

There will always be times when teenagers have a friend or two joining them for the ride. The social part of an adolescent’s life cannot be ignored. Sharing with friends the expectations that I have when driving my vehicle is of great importance. Giving into peer pressure is not an option since it could mean the difference between life and death.

With the cell phone creating more efficiency in communicating with others, it also has led to an increase in distractions amongst teenage drivers. As one can see, these distractions can be reduced and possibly eliminated through the means of education and developing some simple habits of mind. These simple habits can be useful in teenage drivers and reduce the number of injuries and deaths.