The dangers of teen distracted driving
For most adults, driving is second nature. Like breathing, we don’t really think about it. But to teens, the whole driving experience is new. This makes them more prone to distracted driving. Having the right teen car insurance is important for helping protect against the unexpected - but paying attention on the road is essential for their safety and the safety of others. Use the information below to help your teen make good driving decisions and avoid distracted driving.
Why are teens driving while distracted?
In our over-stimulated world, teenagers are prone to distraction. Even more so as they figure out the world behind the wheel. Suddenly re-focused on the road, a new driver might overreact to a given situation – swerving into other lanes or even running off the road.
Based on government research, drivers under age 20 have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes. The CDC has more facts and stats on distracted driving.
Common teen driving distractions
Friends
Teens love to roll with their whole squad. But the numbers show this can be a problem. Adults have fewer accidents with passengers in the vehicle. Teens? It’s the opposite: accidents are more likely when one teen is driving others in the same car.
Solution: Don’t allow your teen to drive other teens until they’ve been on the road for at least a year.
Phones
This one is obvious. For many teens, a smartphone is almost constantly absorbing their attention. So of course, nothing good can happen if they’re using it while driving.
Solution: Don’t let your teen use the phone when they drive. If they must, have them park and finish their calls or texts before getting back on the road. In fact, there are several apps for that.
Tunes
Roads and music just go together. But trying to change songs or channels, or even reaching for a music-playing device can also take your mind off the road.
Solution: If your teen is into car-tunes, have them mix one playlist on their device for the road ahead of time, or choose one radio station and leave it there. Also, lower the volume. It helps to hear car horns and emergency vehicles.
What more can you do to prevent teen distracted driving?
The factors above are not the only things that can distract young drivers. Anything from spectacular scenery or a curious oddity to an attractive member of the opposite sex can divert their attention from the road. The key thing here – more easily said than done – is focus.
Young drivers need to develop the mindset early on that when they’re behind the wheel, driving is their #1 priority. Anything else can wait. This is how they’ll learn good driving habits. It’s also where you come in as a parent, coach and mentor. Talk to your teens about the common driving distractions when you teach them how to drive and always show them by example when you take the wheel.
Want to know more?
These Auto Resources can teach both parents and teens about driving safely. In addition to practicing safe driving habits, it's important to stay protected against other hazards on the road. Learn how to add a teen driver to your auto insurance policy.