Group: 15% percent of young drivers have seen their parents text and drive
AT&T has a website called
ITCANWAIT.COM,
which details the very latest happenings as they pertain to
multitasking at the wheel. In addition to providing some eye-opening
statistics, visitors are asked to "Take the Pledge," vowing to never
text and drive. There are 3 ways to participate and for those willing to make this commitment will be rewarded. Millions of people have done so.
If you've given your word not to text and drive, it's important that you
live up to it.
All the texting and driving laws in the world won't end distracted
driving. But with everyone's cooperation, the roads will be that much
safer – one fewer text message at a time.
The notion of "Do as I say, not as I do," may be a fine sentiment,
but it's not realistic – particularly as it pertains to impressionable
teenagers and their behaviors while driving. Common Sense Media, a
non-profit organization, revealed from its own polling that 51% of teen
motorists have witnessed their parents checking their handheld devices
despite being in the driver's seat, CNN reported. What's more, over 55%
of parents admit to doing this very thing. Teens may not necessarily do
everything their parents do, but texting and driving is undoubtedly a
learned behavior. What we do as parents can definitely impact our teen drivers, parents and experts say.
Need to Take Drivers Ed? Take It Online!
It Can Wait.
The world won’t end if you don’t type out your message and hit submit while driving.
Transmitting a message isn’t worth receiving a citation, getting in a
collision or putting the lives of others and your own at stake. If
you’re not yet convinced, check out the statistics on Don’t Text & Drive. Put down the smartphones and pay attention when you’re behind the wheel to make the roadway a safer place for drivers.
What Can Parents and Guardians Do?
Talk to Teens
The hazard of texting while driving is a serious threat to teenagers,
as data illustrates. Parents who want to help keeping their son or
daughter become a statistic should talk to them about the dangers of
distracted driving. The best advice is to simply turn off the
phone until they arrive at their destination.
Set Rules
Texting is an important form of communication for many teens and it
takes restraint to not text and drive. This can be a difficult behavior
to change but it can be achieved by rules and boundaries set by parents.
Remind teens of the serious consequences for violating the Safe Driving Law. If a teen is on the road, they should
stay off the phone.
Lead by Example
Remember that driver training starts at home and teens learn by
example. Set a positive example for teens by not using a cell phone, and
by turning it off and placing it in the glove compartment every time
your drive.
