Texting Teen Driver in Florida Rear-Ends Police Car
Parents should take action
Knowing that motor vehicle crashes are the biggest killer of teens, parents should talk to their teen drivers about the subject, often. Multi-tasking doesn’t mix with an inexperienced driver. Parents should set teen driving ground rules, if they are not covered by state laws. If there are laws in place, review them with the teen driver.
Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) suggests the following series of teen driving pledges:
- No smoking, alcohol or drugs.
- No cell phone use including text messaging, unless the car is stopped.
- The number of friends in the car is restricted, when an adult is not present.
- A curfew will be kept on evenings and weekends, when most teen driving accidents occur.
- There are two hands on the wheel at all times, just like they teach in driving school. That rules out activities like eating, applying makeup and punching the buttons on an iPod or radio.
Consider signing a contract, to leave no room for misunderstanding.
SADD says that parent/teen communication, paired with rules and parental enforcement of them, will promote safe behaviors, including teen driving. One such contract that addresses some of these concerns about teen driving is available for download at www.sadd.org/contract.htm.
The last bit of advice from the experts is for parents, once again, to lead by example. Teen driving restrictions will be much easier to tolerate when Mom and Dad practice the same safety measures.
When a sample group of high school students was recently asked who best influenced their teen driving habits, “parents” was the answer – not a driver’s education instructor, or teachers or even peers.
Next, the tables were turned and teen drivers were asked about their parents’ driving habits. Almost two thirds said their parents talk or text-message on the cell phone when driving. Half said their parents consistently exceed the speed limit. About one third said their parents don’t wear seat belts.
It’s good for parents to be concerned about teen driving. It’s better when the teen driver shows responsibility.
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Tags: Teen Driving, Texting
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