| Guest Post from my friend Tanya at Dreams Diapers and Dilemmas. I’ve been concerned about the accidents I have heard about as a result of teens texting and I saw this article that Tanya wrote. She’s got good info and good tips and it was worth it to me to share it with you all. Teens, Texting and Driving – a Deadly Combo Facts and Stats on this Deadly Habit and Some Tips on How to Control It… The vast majority of teenagers have a cell phone. It’s as normal to see a group of youth standing in a circle texting as it is to see them standing in a circle talking… to each other. It is their chosen form of communication and for many; it’s their primary form of communication.
For a younger generation that may not fully grasp the weight of what can happen when texting is used at inappropriate times, the list of dilemmas is an ever growing one.
The problems range from:
Nuisances: teachers complaining of student’s texting while in-class
Annoyances: texting in the movie theatre and disrupting the other paying patrons.
Frustrations: teens staying up until all hours of the night texting friends and being exhausted during the day.
However, the most serious problem, which is considered by many to be of epidemic proportions, is Teen’s Texting While Driving.
Facts and Stats
· A British study conducted with youth ranging from 17-24 showed that writing or reading texts while driving reduces reaction time by 35%. The same study showed that texting behind the wheel is more dangerous than driving while intoxicated or under the influence of marijuana.
· Ability to keep the vehicle in the proper lane drops by 91% for those who are
texting.
· Researchers have concluded that, when texting, the driver’s eyes will be off the road for enough time to travel a stretch of road equivalent to the length of a football field.
· The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that more than 100 000 accidents/year are related to drowsiness. The danger of teens texting all night and then being drowsy while behind the wheel is a subtle risk, but still a risk.
· Nearly 50% of teens admit to texting while driving. 52% of teens report that the adults in their life also text while driving.
Tips on How to Stop Teens from Texting while Driving · Set a good example and purchase a device that allows you to use your voice to text while driving.
· To prevent drowsy driving, have your teen dock his/her cell phone in a common room at night or in your bedroom.
· Have your teen sign a contract agreeing to your terms of use for the privilege of having a cell phone. Follow through with the consequences if a rule is broken.
Most teens report that they break their parent’s rules for texting because they know there will be no consequences.
· If you don’t have a hands free device make a rule that the cell phone goes on silent and gets locked in the trunk whenever you’re driving or you’re driving with your teen. (It is important to note that more hands free legislation DOES NOT allow teens to use devices such as blue tooth or other voice dialing or voice to text technology. There are only allowances once they reach a certain age (which varies by province and/or state).
To get more info on a hands free device that is affordable, easy to use, and compatible with any phone and any plan check out http://www.voiceitall.ca/ .
Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com
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About The Author:
Tanya is a WAHM and pastor’s wife from Canada. She’s a friend of mine and she blogs regularly at www.dreamsdiapersanddilemmas.blogspot.com . Check her out!
