Teen cell phone use while driving a deadly issue

Sad, isn’t it? Every year we hear about high school students killed in automobile accidents. Many, it seems, occur this time of year.

Cell phone usage has become a major reason for these accidents. Teens are distracted by reading or writing texts or conversing on their cell phones while driving or as a passenger.  While there is no way to stop every teenager from texting while driving or receiving calls and carrying on conversations, adults  know that the consequences can be life-altering or completely devastating to families.  Burying a child is the worst conceivable thing a family can experience.

Cell phone use among teens is a national obsession.  The problem is exacerbated by adults whose own addiction to cell phone use while driving has become an ongoing traffic hazard.

The Web site www.stoptextsstopwrecks.org reports “that in 2013, ten percent of all drivers 15-19 years old involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crashes. This age group has the largest proportion of drivers who were distracted. Fifteen percent of the distracted drivers were distracted by the use of cell phones.”

State governments nationwide have acted to make cell phone use illegal.  As of February 2015, 44 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands have passed legislation banning text messaging for all drivers.  However, public service announcements on television or the radio do not reach everyone, and reminding teens of the dangers of cell usage often lands on deaf ears.

In short, the topic deserves a serious, one-on-one discussion.

How can you impact and reduce the chances of your child being distracted by their cell phone while driving, or riding in, a car?  National Scouting Report wanted to bring this to the forefront for parents, coaches and high school athletes by providing some tips on preventing accidents:

• Be the example:  Vow not to use your cell phone while in a vehicle by pledging not to receive calls or read texts.  That may seem extreme, but everyone wins when you turn off your phone when your car starts. Requiring everyone else in the vehicle to do the same only reinforces the significance of your decision.
• Make a reasonable plan:  Set common-sense rules which you and your family members, or team members, can follow, including:
  • Have your kids call you upon leaving for and arriving at their destination.  The same goes for you.
  • Absolutely no cell phone use while driving.  Even hands-free conversations are distractions.
  • When you know your child is in a vehicle, even if not driving, resist the temptation to text until he or she reaches their destination.
  • Realize that drivers not using their cell phone can easily be distracted by others in the car who are. Do not let that happen.
• Talk about it with other parents and kids:  Peer pressure among youngsters is strong, so the only way to reasonably impact their behavior is to go to your child’s best friend’s parents and discuss the issues and dangers involved. Come to an agreement on how collectively you want everyone to handle cell phone usage when in a vehicle.
• Get coaches involved:  One of the most powerful voices your child can hear on this subject will come from rules set down and supported by his or her coaches. Getting buy-ins from them would be powerful.