When teenagers hit the roads for the first time they are already dealing with three strikes against them. 1. They are inexperienced drivers. 2. They are immature drivers. and 3. They are in the risk pool, and as a result pay the highest amount for auto insurance in comparison to the rest of the driving population. It is bad enough that teens already account for most of the fatal drinking and driving accidents in the United States, and now they have fatal texting accidents to add to that resume. “Teenage Texting and Driving : The New Clear and Present Danger!”
Distracted Driving
Matter of fact, distracted driving from texting accounts for about 25% of all accidents for drivers of all ages! Mobile device usage is a way of life, and I do not see it going away anytime soon. Most states have jumped on the bandwagon, and have banned texting while driving however; these laws have not seemed to have much of an impact in the reduction of automobile accidents. It is very difficult for a police officer to identify texting drivers until it is much too late. When a driver is distracted by their mobile device they usually take their eyes off the road for at least five seconds. Now that may not seem very long, but the reality is that at a speed of fifty-five miles an hour, your vehicle is traveling about one-hundred yards! That is the length of a football field. Plenty of time to crash into another vehicle or perhaps drive off the road into a tree, ditch or guard rail. A distracted driver is not only a problem for themselves, but a problem for all the other law abiding drivers on our roads and highways. Although teenagers are the main offenders, this is a problem that involves drivers of all ages.
Teenage Texting and Driving Solutions
So what is the solution to the problem. Obviously, educational awareness is one answer. But the best answer is zero tolerance! Basically that means lock up the mobile device and do not use it all while driving. If you must use it, pull over to a safe area well out of traffic. Other options include using a “designated texter.”A passenger who agrees to handle your mobile device for you, and agrees not to give it back until you complete your driving task. Adults can also help by being positive role models, and making written or verbal contracts with their young drivers. Both parties should agree to never text while they are driving! With parents acting as partners in the the entire driver education process, it will be easier for the teenager to make the right decision before heading out on the road. Lets help get the message out and eliminate “Teenage Texting and Driving.”
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