Teens in Georgia get so excited when they finally become old enough to get their permit and learn how to drive. However, with this newfound freedom also comes a great responsibility, not just for themselves but also for everyone else out on the roads. Since you want your child to become the best driver possible, you may be wondering, how can you prevent your teen from distracted driving?
According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) Research Institute, distracted driving among this age group is a very serious problem. In fact, in 2017 almost 40% of high school-aged drivers acknowledged either emailing or texting while driving during the previous month. And, one study demonstrated that for those ages 16-19, distracted driving was a major cause in 58% of the crashes. With statistics like these, it is imperative to teach teens to keep their focus on the roadways.
Prior to them receiving their license, have frequent discussions with your teen about safe driving behavior. Stress how important it is to keep their eyes on the road and off all devices at all times. Also talk about how things like putting on makeup, eating or drinking, and even changing the radio is a form of distracted driving. Be sure to model good behavior when you are the driver so they can emulate this.
Teach your teen to alternate between scanning the road, side and rear view mirrors so he or she is aware of traffic conditions. Tell them to be especially alert when there are pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists nearby. And, discuss the number of passengers allowed in the car, since peer passengers tend to increase the likelihood of getting into a serious accident.
This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as legal advice.
