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In just 18 short months, Michael will be able to get his learner’s permit for driving.

Michael

While this makes me nervous, what really scares me is the state of other drivers “out there.” It seems that most of the people I see while driving are busy–too busy.

Applying makeup, staring (literally) at their phone while texting or surfing the internet, eating lunch.

The Virginia Transportation Institute reported that teen drivers who text are 23 times more likely to be involved in a crash.

23 times.

This is in addition to the fact that they’re new drivers making mistakes, making slower decisions, and still learning the rules of the road.

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the Auto Alliance want to increase awareness about the risks of distracted driving. The Orthopaedic surgeons are the specialists who put bones and limbs back together after road crashes and traumas. The Auto Alliance is the voice for the auto industry. They are coming together to help all drivers “decide to drive” each time they get in the car and to keep bones and limbs intact.

Let's be an example for our teens and put down our phones. Nothing is worth it.

If you’re like I was, you check your phone while driving.

I’m the only one on this road.

I’m close to home.

It’ll just take me a second to respond.

I can stay focused on driving.

I just need to check this quick. 

Stop it.

Put your phone down until your car is parked.

Your kids are watching, and soon they’ll be driving and your bad habits will be theirs.

They won’t think to speak up to friends who are driving and texting because they’ll be used to it–they’ll think it’s ok, and it’s not.

Talk to your teens about driving and how important it is. Tell them about the accidents you see on the news because people are texting and driving.

Empower them.

Here are three ways to help your teen stay safe while driving and riding along as a passenger.

1. Give them permission to call you out. Kids are polite and respectful. They won’t tell parents if we’re doing something wrong. Give your kids permission to remind you (politely) that you shouldn’t be using your phone while driving. Have them remind you to decide to drive.

2. Empower them to call their friends out. Talk to your kids about ways they can ask their friends to not use their phones while driving. It’s not easy to be the one kid in the car who speaks up, and they’re not going to say, “please put down your phone.” Give your kids real-life statements they can say to their friends.

Dude, are you texting? Put the phone down!

Let me see your phone. I’ll respond for you. 

3. Decide to drive. The most advanced safety feature of any car is the driver. Stress the importance of putting down their phone, keeping their eyes on the road, and keeping their hands on the wheel.

3 ways to help your teens stay safe in a car.

 

The Decide to Drive campaign helps to increase awareness about the risks of distracted driving. Their website is full of information and resources for teens and their parents. Here’s a sample of what you can find there:

Michael and I are both working on putting our phones down–I’m doing it while in the car, and he’s doing it when others are having a conversation (so he can be part of that conversation). We help each other stay accountable.

Let's be an example for our teens and put down our phones. Nothing is worth it.

 How are you setting an example for your teen?

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

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3 Comments

  1. Great post and pointers. I see so many young adults and older text while they drive. It’s like they are drunk because their speed is off compared to others, they are weaving and you can tell they are distracted. I luckily never got in the habit of texting while driving. I may at a red light but even then I try to remind myself it can wait. Truly it can. Or if it’s urgent I pull over and stop. It takes discipline and practice. Love that you are keeping each other accountable. :)

  2. My kids have no problem calling me out….for anything. lol When we drive, I am constantly saying “Don’t do this” or “Make sure you do this”. My son will be driving in 3 years and I hope that I’ve instilled in him the fact that distracted driving is dangerous! I don’t check my phone or do anything else except drive when I am behind the wheel.

  3. I always checked mine at the red light, but my kids pointed out I was texting & driving. Ouch! In the purse it goes now.

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