Teen Texting and Driving: A Modern Day Hazard

Teen offenders

Teen Texting and Driving: A Modern Day Hazard In this digital age, it's easier than ever to stay in touch, but the convenience of technology means more dangers behind the wheel. You've probably seen it before - a person behind the wheel of a moving car, texting on her cell phone while trying to keep her eyes on the road. And while this habit may seem dangerous to most, one age group appears to have the most serious offenders - teens.

Statistics provided by the Pew Research Center indicate that one in four American teens of driving age admits to texting while driving, and almost half of all teens aged 12 to 17 have been in the car with a driver who has texted while behind the wheel.

What is so disconcerting about these statistics is that the same study found teens are aware of the dangers of texting while driving, but the need to stay connected to friends usually takes a backseat to safety.

The Dangers
The results of these unsafe habits can be devastating. According to AAA, motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of drivers ages 15 to 20, and claim more than 6,000 lives a year. Experts blame inexperience behind the wheel coupled with poor decision making, such as speeding, distracting passengers, and texting, for these alarmingly high numbers.

The solutionsWhat can be done to help teens understand the danger? Some places are going to extreme measures to help curb this rising trend. In the summer of 2009, British police released a graphic depiction of a fake car crash resulting from a teen driver texting behind the wheel. The video, which shows four people dying in the crash, was deemed too graphic for anyone under the age of 18 on the popular video site YouTube, but can still be found on several other websites.

AAA offers other, less shocking ways for you to show your teen the importance of driving safety, and to keep her safe while driving:

  • Set restrictions: Inexperienced drivers should drive only during daylight hours, on familiar roads, and without teenage passengers.
  • Be a positive role model by obeying speed limits, avoiding the use of electronic devices while driving, and being courteous to other drivers.
  • Talk about teen car crashes and how to prevent them. Discuss the importance of wearing a seat belt, and the hazards of driving at night, while using a cell phone, or with teenage passengers.
  • Enter into a parent-teen driving agreement with your child. Put it in writing, and sign it with your teen.

    • AAA has started a campaign to ban texting while driving in all U.S. states by 2013. Eighteen states, plus the District of Columbia, currently have laws that address the use of mobile devices while driving. Find the driving laws in your state, and visit AAA's website to find more information on how to keep your teen safe behind the wheel.


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