Driving requires attention and experience, especially for teen drivers who are not familiar with road signs, traffic law, and safety practices.

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From following the signs and rules to focusing on the road, teen drivers are increasingly exposed to the dangers of the road of which the likelihood of getting involved in a crash is higher than previous years.

But what is causing drivers, especially teenagers, to get involved in a car accident?

Teenagers are getting more vulnerable to the dangers of the road because of their inability to put their phones down while driving.

Today, teenagers are feeling more addicted to technology according to study

For the most part, it is a matter of addiction to technology that is making teenagers feel more vulnerable to car accidents.

According to a survey from Common Sense Media, half of the teenagers that took part of the study felt addicted to their devices:

78% looked at their devices at least hourly.
72% felt pressured to quickly answer texts, notifications, and social media messages.

There’s an apparent need for teen drivers to use their phone all the time, even while driving which can be really dangerous.

Surprisingly, teenagers usually receive more calls from their parents at a rate that can lead to a potential crash.

Rather than being the cause of their distraction, parents should give their teen drivers other alternatives to cell phone use while driving such as:

Make any calls or texts before starting the car or after reaching their destination.
Use their phone to get directions and map their route before starting the car.
Put the phone on “Do not Disturb” while driving.

How important is to be engaged with your driving?

Parents Are Responsible For Ensuring Their Teen Drivers Learn How To Avoid Distracted Driving

Engaged driving is the opposite of distracted driving, which means that the driver is continuously attentive and focused regardless of any possible distraction inside or outside the car.

If you are worried about the safety of your teen driver, follow these tips to ensure your teen driver understands how valuable is to drive safely.

Never call your teen while driving

Make sure you call your teen before they start the car or after reaching their destination.

You would be contributing to a disaster if you persist in calling them while they are trying to stay focused on the road.

Educate your teen about the dangers of distracted driving

Communication is key to ensure your teen understands what works best for their own safety. Teach your teen about the impact that distracted driving has on our ability to remain crash-free.

Explain your teenager that distracted driving is the main cause of death for teen drivers in the U.S., not to mention that crashes can be avoided by keeping concentrated on the road at all times.

They need to know that distracted driving does not only mean handling a phone while driving, but also eating/drinking, changing the radio station, applying make-up, and any other thing that take your eyes out of the road.

There’s a “Do Not Disturb” mode for every driver

Some smartphones, especially Apple phones, have the “Do Not Disturb” feature that helps drivers avoid getting distracted while driving.

When the phone detects that the user is driving, it will start sending automated messages without alerting the driver. It is a great addition to safety driving indeed.

Get a driving manual

Today, people can access and download more information about safety driving, which also includes topics such as distracted driving facts and tips on how to drive in different weather or road conditions.

Create a checklist covering different helpful tips to tackle challenging conditions, and ensure your teen learns more about the increasing importance of safety while on the road.

Teach by example

If you are concerned about the safety of your teen while on the road, then it is time to teach by example.

Your teen needs to observe that you don’t check your phone while driving, nor make dangerous maneuvers, otherwise they won’t take your word seriously.

Set and enforce the rules

Your teenager needs to know about your leadership at home otherwise teaching them about safety driving will get even more challenging.

From limiting the number of passengers in the car to prohibiting them to use their phone while on the road, parents must enforce the rules and ensure they are behaving accordingly.