Distracted Driving Within Young Teens

The
government has taken time to ensure that drivers get to their
destination safely by maintaining and following the road safety rules
and regulation, such as using traffic signs, traffic lights.
Unfortunately for teenagers, they do not seem to take this seriously
which is why the rates of fatal crashes within young teens continues
to increase each year.

Distracted
Driving is very dangerous, especially among young and new drivers. I
have been advised by my parents not to use any device when driving
or when I am behind the wheels. They advise me to always pay
attention to the road while driving, stay within the posted speed
sign, not to use my phone. Although there are so many cars on the
road everyday but if each one of us stays in our lane and pays
attention while driving there is a possibility that we can all get to
our destination safely. Practicing good driving habits is extremely
important because someone One thing to do in order to reduce
dangerous driving habits is to take driving seriously every time I
get behind the wheel.

According
to a recent study, cell phone driving use has led to 1.6 million
crashes each year and about 21 percent of teen drivers involved in
fatal accidents were distracted by their cell phones.

Putting
your phone in a position where you can never reach is a way to reduce
bad driving habits for teens. Either putting it in your trunk or in
the back seat, putting it on Silent Mode whole behind the wheel, is
a good way to stay focused on the road. You won’t have any
distractions nor worrying about reaching it because it’s in a
distant area within your area.

Other
distractions may include having your friends while in the car with
you as well. Whether you’re listening to loud music or having a
conversation, it’s good to have a quiet environment amongst you so
whoever is driving can be able to get everyone to their destination
safely. It would also be better if your friends don’t post
pictures while you’re driving on social media as well, which can
cause a fatal accident.

According
to research conducted by the Transport Research Laboratory and the
Institute of Advanced Motorist, the attention span of a driver is
slowed by 38% while using their smartphone, as opposed to the 10-12%
of someone who has been drinking. This proves how using social media
or even being on your smartphone is three times more dangerous.

Let’s
say for instance, that your driving and your attention span is
reduced by ten percent all because of a certain conversation being
brought up about one of your friends. You’re reducing about four to
six seconds of your attention span which is super dangerous. Using
social media while driving could be a lot worse!

Apparently,
teenagers have been prone to using technology everywhere they go.
They have grown into society so much that it’s completely messed
them up, because whatever pops up on their smartphone seems to be
“important” instead of their own lives and possibly other
passengers. Just because it’s something that the world may see that
is okay, IT’S NOT. It’s bad and against the law. Reducing the time
you put yourself on your phone is not only a good option, but it’s
essential to one’s durability on the road.

Visiting
your local drivers license office or taking a defensive driving
course may help reduce points from your license AND provide you with
insurance deduction. Drive safe and alert!