Distracted driving poses a real risk to younger drivers. While bad driving habits are dangerous for all who share the road, new drivers lacking experience are particularly at risk of having an accident when their attention strays. That’s why parents must talk to their kids about preventing distracted driving, as explained by Geico.
Don’t text and drive
Texting while driving is a very dangerous driving behavior. Not only does it pull your focus away from the road, it also requires you to remove your hands from the wheel. As a result, all motorists are encouraged to turn their smartphones off and put them away before driving. In case of an emergency, the driver should pull over to a safe spot on the side of the road and call or text from there.
Don’t let passengers distract you
Even without a smartphone, teens can still be distracted by conversations taking place in their vehicles. That’s why many parents set a limit on how many friends a teen has in their car while riding around. When a lot of activity is happening around the driver, he or she is less likely to focus on the road. This is especially true for younger drivers, who may lack the knowledge to respond to an unexpected situation.
Don’t eat in the car
Teens today are busier than ever. As a result, many eat while driving, whether that’s having breakfast on the way to school or enjoying a snack on the way to practice. While seemingly innocuous, this behavior is just as dangerous as other types of distractions. Encourage your teen to make time for meals, even if that means waking up earlier in the morning or taking a break from social obligations.