What is Distracted Driving?
According to www.distraction.gov, "Distracted driving is any non-driving activity a person engages in while operating a motor vehicle. Such activities have the potential to distract the person from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing." This can include visual, manual, and cognative (focus is off of driving) distractions.
Texting on a cell phone while driving has received the most attention as a teen driving distraction, but teen drivers need to realize there are many things in our world today that cause even the best teen drivers to become distracted. Our busy lives keep us thinking of other things on the way home, our GPS and CD players take our eyes off the road and eating on the run takes our hands off the wheel. All of these things will cause teens driving to become distracted and can increase the risk of an accident substantially.
Why is Distracted Driving a Problem with Teens Driving?
There are many reasons why teens tend to be more distracted while driving. First, is that teens are immature and just don't think an accident will happen to them. And if it did, teens have the "invincible" attitude that they will still be fine after an accident. Many studies have shown that the teen brain is still developing and these feelings of invincibility are physically normal. So, if we know that no matter how mature a teenager is they still don't have the brain of an adult, parents need to find ways to make sure their teen driver knows what distracted driving is and how to avoid it.
How Can I Help My Teen Avoid Distracted Driving?
The best way to teach your teen how to drive is by example. Statistics show that over half of parents talk on the cell phone while driving. Along with talking on the cell phone, teens do notice when their parents are speeding through a light, cranking up the radio and fooling with their GPS all while eating their fast food hamburger. Do we really think teens are going to just listen to us tell them to stop doing these things while the parents continue the behaviors?
If you have not set a good example at avoiding distractions while driving then start now and talk to your teen about how you were wrong. Then review with your teen all the ways that one can drive distracted including phone, texting, eating, radio, GPS, and just thinking too much about their next test. Remember you are the parent and you have control over their driving privilege... you can choose to revoke their driving privilege if they do not follow your rules.
Will Distracted Driving Accidents Affect My Insurance Rate?
Yes, distracted driving by you, your teen and by your neighbors will absolutely raise your insurance rates. This is a national problem. Of course the more accidents you and your teen has the higher your car insurance rates will be but as long as our nation continues to drive distracted and have accidents because of the distracted driving, insurance rates will continue to rise for us all. This is a national safety and financial problem we all need to get control of.
