As we all know, distracted driving is a very big issue these days on the roads which many times can lead to someone losing their life. There are ways where one can reduce the number of deaths while driving. First of all, one needs to abide by the rules, wear a seatbelt, don’t have more passengers than what the vehicle is made for, put away your cell phone and be responsible. We all know we can easily get distracted while driving. These days, the worst thing is with our phones, talking and texting while driving. Motor vehicle crashes are the number one leading cause of deaths among teenagers in the US today and since cell phones have been introduced, the number has increased. Texting while driving has been deemed more dangerous than even drinking and driving. According to the Arrive Alive Tour, 94% of teens are aware that texting is dangerous but sadly 35% still text and drive. Multi-tasking is not easy and if we are paying attention and focusing on the conversation or looking down texting while trying to hold the steering wheel and drive, we are not going to be able to respond as quickly or have the reaction time we need to drive safely. If not used properly, vehicles can turn out to be weapons and end up severely hurting or even killing someone. Thankfully, texting is now banned in 48 states, but it still doesn’t totally stop this issue from occurring.

According to the Reader’s Digest there are 7 tricks we can all learn to decrease the impulsiveness we have come to yearn for when using our cell phones. The more that we become aware and follow through, then possibly less crashes and injuries can happen. One trick is to be aware of the dangers, maybe even watching a video or movie that involves a crash while texting. Most times, “seeing” something makes an impact more than just hearing about it. Second is to turn your cell phone off or at least silence it. If you don’t hear it, then one will not get distracted. Thirdly, is to put your phone out of reach, like maybe in the glove department, so if you can’t touch it, then you can’t use it. Like the saying goes, “out of sight, out of mind.” Fourth is you can always respond to your messages and calls before you start driving. Then you know you are all caught up and nothing would be an emergency to make you have to reach for your phone while driving. Fifth is to choose a designated driver so if you really have to use your phone, then at least everyone in the car as well as other drivers will be safe. Sixth is to just simply pull over to a safe spot if you indeed had to take the call or respond to the text. Lastly, download an app on your phone that will block incoming calls or text messages. One app is called Drive Off, another is called Drive Mode.

We all need to become more aware of operating a vehicle safely. According to Safer Roads,
“Most drivers feel they can safely take their eyes off the road for 0-2 seconds, but a car can travel the length of a football field in 5 seconds at 55 mph.” That is more than enough time to have something serious happen. Your life can just flash in front of your eyes and for what? A quick text or call that could have waited?

Parents or Caregivers should also be highly involved and help their teens by setting an example. When they drive a car, it is no different than a teenager. At least a teenager will understand how serious texting can be if their parents are doing what they preach. Parents can set rules and need to follow through and enforce them. Parents can also have an app on their teenager’s phone to limit the amount of text messages they receive. Reminders are always a good thing and parents should be checking in with their teenagers once in a while to make sure things are OK. Teenagers all in all should realize that it is a privilege to drive and we should not abuse it. If we can just put down that cell phone for a little while and pay attention to what is going on around us while driving, we will all be much better off driving on the roads and getting to our destinations safely each time.