Distracted driving is an activity that takes the driver’s attention away from driving. Distracted driving can increase the chance of a motor vehicle crash. It is ill fated that many fatalities and driving mistakes are the result of bad driving habits. As stated, “Using a cell phone while driving creates enormous potential for deaths and injuries on U.S. roads. In 2020, 3,142 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers.” (NHTSA 2022) Therefore, the first thing on my mind that I can recall when I think about driving habits are driving while texting, intoxicated, speeding, stressed, and tired which leads to traffic accidents and fatalities. As stated, “Anything that takes your attention away from driving can be a distraction. Sending a text message, talking on a cell phone, using a navigation system, and eating while driving are a few examples of distracted driving. Any of these distractions can endanger you, your passengers, and others on the road.” (CDC 2019) However, they are a few good habits that we can practice driving such as, wearing seat belts, avoiding getting too close to semi-trucks, and paying attention to traffic lights. In my opinion, the only way to reduce dangerous driving habits, particularly texting or using social media while driving amongst teenagers while driving is to set a safe and phone free environment by doing that you eliminate the consequences of causing an accident. As stated, “Because we’re so phone driven, the tendency is when somebody calls us or texts us, we want to respond immediately,” says Dr. Bruce Simons-Morton, an NIH expert on teen driving. To drive safely, we must overcome that powerful impulse, he explains.” (NIH 2020)
Therefore, all mobile devices should be placed in the back seat of the vehicle out of arms reach before the vehicle is started. Also, teens should get into the mindset of the importance of always driving aware of their surroundings before they decide to get behind the wheel. As stated, “young drivers need to develop the mindset early on that when they are behind the wheel, driving is their #1 priority. Anything else can wait. This is how they will learn good driving habits. It is also where you come in as a parent, coach and mentor. Talk to your teens about the common driving distractions when you teach them how to drive and always show them by example when you take the wheel.” (Nationwide 2021). Although, driving is a privilege for all of us, we must remember that the experience of driving is new for many teens this makes them more inclined to distracted driving. That is why having a support system for teens that are starting to drive for the first time is vital in their driving process because for them to learn someone must inform them about the risks and benefits of exercising the privilege to drive a mobile vehicle. As stated, “In Florida, teen drivers were involved in 59,301 crashes resulting in 290 fatalities and 2,256 serious injuries in 2018. Teens were two-and-a-half times more likely to engage in potentially risky behavior when driving with a teenage peer versus driving alone” (FDOT 2022) The only way to reduce dangerous driving habits in teens are to provide a support system, establish a plan for when the teen gets in the car pertaining to the steps they would take before starting their vehicle. Parent involvement in supervised practice and independent driving, and efforts to increase parental management are vital in the first couple of years of for a new driver. As stated, “Parents play a crucial role in teen driver safety. According to research conducted at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), teens who say their parents set rules and pay attention to their activities in a helpful, supportive way are half as likely to be in a crash. The greatest lifetime chance of crashing for teens occurs during the first six to 12 months after receiving a license. That is why setting house rules for teenage drivers and increasing driving privileges gradually is crucial.” (TDS 2022) Foremost, driver education is an important part of teaching teen driver the rules of the road, operating a vehicle, and few hours of professional driver training that could be a parent, or credible trusted friend. All in one, all these tips and facts about teen drivers will keep teens safe behind the wheel and allow them to grow as new learners with safe driving records.