Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of car accidents, and the advent of the mobile phone has created even more dangerous driving conditions. If you’re the parent of a teen driver, there are measures that can be taken to eliminate phone distractions so that your son or daughter can drive more responsibly and lessen their chances of getting into an accident on the road.
Instruct Them to Park Before Using Their Phone
If your teen needs to use their phone, they should be instructed to park the vehicle somewhere safe first. Be sure to tell your teen that the vehicle needs to be in park mode and ideally turned off so that they don’t accidentally push the gas pedal and accelerate when they’re using their phone. They should also avoid trying to read or respond to a text quickly while they’re at a traffic stop, as this can also become a dangerous distraction.
Use Hands-free Features
There are times when an urgent call needs to be made or taken while on the road. If you think your teen might encounter this situation when they’re driving, they should have hands-free features enabled so that they can use their phone without having to dial numbers manually or hold the phone up to their ear to listen and talk. However, you should also make it clear that hands-free phone use should be done sparingly, since teens are still considered to be new drivers and should try to devote their undivided attention to maneuvering the roads. Many states. Including Georgia, require drivers to use devices “hands-free” in order to maintain full attention on the road ahead.
Enable Safety Apps
In addition to hands-free phone features, there are certain apps that can be added to your teen’s phone and controlled by you if you want more assurance. Some of these apps can disable texting and phone calls while your teen driver is behind the wheel. Some phones also feature DriveSafe modes, which allow parents to monitor their teens’ phone activities while driving. There are even apps that offer rewards points toward certain purchases if teens continue to practice safe driving habits.
Don’t Set a Bad Example
Children are often influenced by their parents’ behaviors, and your teen might feel more inclined to talk or text on their phone if they see you doing it while driving. According to one study, 59 percent of teen participants stated that they’d seen their parents texting while driving, and 78 percent of all participants admitted to texting behind the wheel. If you want your phone rules to be taken seriously by your teen, you should lead by example.
Sign an Agreement
A written agreement can help you establish clear rules about phone use while driving and also specify the consequences your child might face if they break any rules. The agreement can state the promises that your teen driver is expected to keep and what will happen if these rules are violated. The CDC has a prewritten agreement that establishes rules for phone use and other aspects of driving, which you can print and have your teen sign.
As a parent, you’ll want to do your best to limit distractions while your teen still gets used to managing the roads. By keeping tabs on your teen’s cell phone use, you’ll find better peace of mind in knowing that your son or daughter will be able to focus more on safe driving.
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