How to combat cell phones in the car

It seems like everywhere you look now, everyone you know has their own mobile device. In this day and age, it’s difficult to find someone who doesn’t contantly get distracted by their cell phone. From young children to senior citizens, the majority of people in this modern world instinctively reach for their pockets as they hear that all too familiar buzzing pattern or ringtone from their personal device. While this is an issue for people of all demographics, it is especially a concern for teenagers behind the wheel of a car. Studies have consistently shown that looking at a phone is a major cause of many automobile accidents involving teens. As more young people grow up with technology in their at their fingertips, it seems like the problem will only get worse and lead to more and more tragedy. However, there are many methods that teen drivers, their parents, and manufacturers of cars and cell phones can implement to combat this problem. These can include measures as simple as pledges and household rules, having a designated texter riding alongside a teen driver in the passenger seat, or utilizing certain features of a vehicle or certain settings on a mobile device.

As it is well-known that distracted driving is an important issue regarding young people, many local authorities and independent companies have encouraged teenagers to sign or take pledges to drive safely and promise not to use their cell phones while behind the wheel. This method is growing in popularity because teens involved in these pledges tend to be passionate about motor vehicle safety and usually advocate for the cause and encourage their friends and peers to join in. Moreover, it is successful because it gives teen drivers a form of personal honor and is marketed by those closest to the issue. Additionally, one thing that parents and families of teen drivers can do is to impose specific rules regarding phones. These could include making sure their adolescent drivers turn off internet connection in the car to avoid the constant flood of social media notifications, keep phones in a specific place out of the driver’s reach, or simply to keep the phone on silent once the car turns on. These measures can not only keep teen drivers responsible, but they can also give them a sense of morality and keep them in good standing with their families and communities.

As most people know, riding “shotgun” is generally considered a great privilege whenever you’re in the car. The person sitting beside the driver not only has the crucial job of picking out road trip music or aiding in navigation, but they can also take on the important responsibility of being the vehicle’s designated texter. This means that they can answer messages and keep their eyes on any important updates on the driver’s phone, all while the driver keeps their eyes on the road. As many teens are reluctant to go completely radio silent in the car, this provides a safe alternative that can build trust between carpool buddies and combine the best of both worlds.

As people evolve and change, so do many aspects of technology. Since companies and manufacturers know that young drivers checking their phones at the wheel is a growing issue, they’ve created new advances in their products to avoid the practice. Many newer models of cars have built-in voice assistants that can send a text with just the sound of the driver’s voice. Furthermore, playing phone audio over car speakers to take calls and play music is now the standard for many teens. Not only have cars improved, so have cell phones. Some models enable “do not disturb” automatically while they sense a car’s motion. This keeps the driver from receiving unnecessary notifications that will keep their eyes off the road. Taking advantage of these features has been shown to protect drivers of all ages. Although accidents may still occasionallyl occur, taking these actions will greatly reduce the risk of incidents that arise from texting and driving.

In conclusion, as more and more young people are used to having their cell phones act as an extension of themselves, it is imperative that teen drivers make an effort to reduce dangerous driving habits. These precautions can include keeping themselves honest to their commitments, having a trusted texter beside them in the car, and utilizing technology to their advantage. As more people take these initiatives, we can create a safer and more focused environment for all cars on the road.