Safe Driving - Distracted Teen Driving
According to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motor vehicle-related injuries kill more children and young adults
than any other single cause in the United States. For people of
all ages, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death
from injury.
Driving while distracted can make it difficult to react during a potential crash, especially for teen drivers. Peer passengers, talking or texting on a cell phone, changing the radio, eating, or applying makeup are all dangerous distractions. If the brain is thinking about anything other than driving, it can make it difficult to react during a potential crash, especially for inexperienced teen drivers.
Having regular conversations about safety, practicing driving together and leading by example go a long way in ensuring your teen makes smart decisions when they get behind the wheel.
But there’s another simple step you can take to get on the same page about your family’s rules of the road. Create a Parent-Teen Driving Agreement that puts your rules in writing to clearly set expectations and limits. Work with your teen to outline hazards to avoid and consequences for breaking rules. Keep it on the fridge and update it as your teen gains experience and more driving privileges. This will help keep our community safe.
Download and print our Parent-Teen Driving Agreement