Keeping Teen Drivers Focused

It is a known fact that there are more fatalities in accidents with teenagers at the wheel. Not only are they inexperienced but they do not have the instinct and reflexes that come with time spent behind the wheel. They do not know how to react to situations that can arise while driving.

Today, there are more distractions then ever before for teen drivers. They have multi CD AM/FM Radio's in the car, Ipods, Cell Phones, Laptops, in-car DVD players, etc. Before the advance of technology the distractions were eating or drinking, putting on make up, or reading a map. Our teenagers have access to so much more and often do not think about what could happen to them.

Texting while driving is fast becoming the number one reason for accidents for our teenage population. Teens are not just calling and answering their cell phones but they are taking their eyes off of the road while driving to type and read text messages. It is said that texting while driving is worse than being a drunk or impaired driver because at least a drunk driver will keep their eyes on the road. Accidents can happen in seconds, the seconds it takes to respond to a text message.

Educating our teenagers on the dangers that can happen while driving is imperative to their safety and ours, as they often will collide with another vehicle on the road. Schools in most states offer Driver Education classes and work closely with the students on becoming ready to pass their driving test. Some states will not allow a student to receive a driver's permit unless they pass eighty percent of their classes. They have to show responsibility while in high school first and this is a good thing.

Parents have a responsibility too. They need to set a good example for their children by not allowing anything to distract them while they are driving. Turning off the cell phone means a ringing phone will not entice them to answer it. If parents see their teenagers with their phone close by they should talk to them about the danger of distraction while driving.

It is not hard to find a news article about a teenager hurt or killed while driving and texting. Their have even been train and bus accidents from company drivers texting while on the job. Do not be afraid to show them the details of the accidents. Many times the teenage driver has died on the scene. This is what they need to see to make them realize that it is a serious matter.