How to Keep Teens From Texting & Driving

This is part of a series of sponsored posts. All opinions are my own. 

Last weekend, we had the pleasure of being rear-ended while sitting at a stop sign. The vehicle behind us, was distracted. And although it was never admitted by the young man why he was distracted, I think I had a pretty good idea of what it was.

It’s the common cause for distracted driving, and it’s causing serious crashes all over the country. Even though it’s illegal, it seems that it doesn’t keep people from taking part in the dangerous activity. So if you have young drivers about to get behind the wheel in your new car, it’s important to instill the discipline from the start – don’t text and drive. Here are some ways to help.

1. Sit down and talk. Yes, this is mandatory. Tell them why you don’t want them to text and drive. Explain to them the dangers that texting and driving brings with it – and don’t be afraid to show proof in photos of the damage it can do. Sometimes kids don’t understand until they see how it actually impacts people’s lives. Make it real to them, and they will take it seriously.
2. Give consequences. Let your child know that the matter will not be taken lightly and there will be consequences if you find out that they have been texting while driving. Make the consequences serious; take away the vehicle for a week, add on the unwanted chores for a month, whatever it is that they need as a consequence to the action.
3. Consider your options. You are in control here, so take time to consider your options. If you want your teen to put their phone in their trunk while they drive so they’re not tempted to look at it, you can do that! You are the parent. Get creative, and think about different ways you can ensure your teen is being safe while behind the wheel.
4. Download an app. There are countless apps out there nowadays that actually target this exact problem. A few of the honorable mentions are DriveOFF, DriveMode, DriveScribe, and Canary. These are just a few of the many that are out there though, and it’s possible that by the time you’re reading this, there may even be more options for you! So check out the app store on your phone and search for distracted driving.
5. Set a good example. Kids learn from watching, it’s always been true and it’s still true now. So lead by example when you are in the car, don’t text and drive, don’t check emails at stoplights, and don’t get distracted by anything on your phone. If you absolutely need something from your phone, ask a passenger to do it for you. They’ll learn that it’s not acceptable to do anything but keep your eyes on the road.

Remember, you’re in control when it comes to your child’s safety. Don’t be afraid to create rules and stick to them, it’s not only your job as a parent, but it will give you a little peace of mind knowing that you’ve done your best to enforce their safe driving habits.

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