Driving is a big responsibility. It's a responsibility that many teens take seriously, but it's also easy to relax behind the wheel once you get used to driving. Unfortunately, that also means teen drivers are likely to do things behind the wheel that they shouldn't.
Distracted driving is a huge problem. It is the reason behind many accidents, and teen drivers are 50 percent more likely to be involved in a distracted-driving accident than adults. There are a lot of accidents that can be avoided if teens eliminate distractions!
Hide Your Cell Phone
The most common form of distracted driving is due to cell phone use. Every day, an average of nine people die due to distracted driving.
Distracted driving is defined by:
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Taking your eyes off the road
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Taking your hands off the wheel
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Taking your mind off of driving
Cell phone use is one of the most common causes of distracted driving because it checks all three boxes. That's why you should always keep your phone out of reach when you're in the car.
Turn the ringer off on your phone and hide it in the backseat or trunk. Don't use the car's Bluetooth to text or make calls either. It still causes you to take your mind off the road, which can increase the chances of an accident.
Limit the Number of Passengers in the Car
Being able to drive your own vehicle comes with a lot of freedom. It means you can go where you want without having to ask an adult to drop you off. It also means you and your friends can come and go together by riding in the same car.
However, that doesn't mean you should fill your car with passengers. The more teenage passengers there are in the car, the more likely you are to have an accident.
Avoid distractions by reducing the number of teenage passengers in your car. Riding with no passengers is ideal, but just one passenger is manageable. If distracted driving is a concern of yours, don't drive with two or more passengers.
Limit the Activity Level in the Car
It's not just how many teens you have in the car that can affect your driving ability. What they're doing in the car matters too.
Noisy, rowdy passengers can be extremely distracting. Having a set of rules in the car can help keep energy and activity levels down so you can focus on the road.
Passengers shouldn't mess with any of the controls in the car, including the volume, they shouldn't roughhouse in the backseat, and they shouldn't yell.
It's also a good idea to have rules for smartphones too. The driver shouldn't be involved in any texting or talking, and passengers should never show you something on the phone while you're driving.
Don't Do Anything Behind the Wheel Except Drive
Using your cell phone is the most tempting thing you can do behind the wheel, but it's far from the only thing you can do while you're driving. Other activities can prove to be just as dangerous, even if you don't do them very often.
For example, eating behind the wheel can be extremely dangerous, especially since it's a popular way for teens to eat breakfast on their way to school. You should never put makeup on behind the wheel, brush your hair, or do anything else besides focus on the road.
That also includes things you might not expect, like reaching around into the backseat while you're driving. If there's something you need to get in the backseat that's important, pull over to get it.
Use Apps to Help
Just because you shouldn't use your phone while you're driving doesn't mean it can't be a helpful tool to reduce distracted driving! There are many apps you can choose from that will help you be a better driver:
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Apps, like LifeSaver, block all cell phone usage while driving.
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Mojo gives you points for not using your phone that can be turned into Amazon gift cards.
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Platforms, like Spotify, can use voice controls through the vehicle so you don't have to use your phone.
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Apps, like Drivemode, can monitor your speed and connect other apps to make them easier to use while you're driving.
Although teens may not be the most experienced drivers, you can still increase your safety behind the wheel. Reduce distracted driving with the tips on this list, and you can show your parents that you're serious about the responsibility that comes with driving.
