Picture this: you're running late for school, juggling a hot coffee and a breakfast sandwich as you rush out the door. You hop into the car and realize you might have forgotten your history book. As you rummage through your bag at the next red light, a song you can't stand starts playing. You reach over to change it, nearly spilling your coffee. Each of these distractions significantly increases the risk of a crash.
In fact, in 2022 alone, 3,308 people lost their lives and another 289,310 were injured in accidents involving distracted drivers. These aren’t just numbers; they represent friends, family, and classmates — people just like you who might have been looking forward to prom, graduation, or Friday night’s football game.
With so much at stake, it’s important to understand the behaviors that can lead to such tragic outcomes. Let’s take a closer look at what distracted driving really means and how you can make sure you don’t become another statistic.
Understanding Distracted Driving: It's Not Just Texting
When we hear the words "distracted driving," most of us think about texting at the wheel. But there’s a lot more to it. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, your driving can become unsafe any time you take your eyes off the road, let your mind wander away from the task of driving, or remove your hands from the steering wheel.
When you think of it that way, you may realize you’re distracted more often than you think. A recent survey conducted by AutoInsurance.com found that texting and driving was not even among the top three distractions reported by young drivers. Among those aged 18 to 24:
93% use their phones for navigation: Maps and GPS services are the most common digital distractions.
91% eat or drink while driving: Grabbing a bite or a drink may seem harmless, but it can significantly divert your attention.
90% talk on their phones: Conversations can take your attention away from your surroundings.
There’s also a pretty big disconnect between what young drivers know and what they do. Another study found that 97% of teen drivers say they agree that texting and driving is dangerous, but 43% admitted to doing it anyway.
Distractions are a part of modern life, and they aren’t going anywhere. As a driver, especially a young one, the key is training yourself to avoid distractions and safely handle unexpected things that come your way — and that’s where defensive driving comes in. These courses can teach you to stay focused in a world full of disruptions so you can keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes and mind on the road.
The Power of Defensive Driving Courses
In addition to distracted driving, inexperience is a key risk factor for teen drivers. In fact, there are more crashes among drivers aged 16 to 19 than any other age group. Defensive driving courses help reduce this risk by teaching critical skills such as:
Traffic law comprehension
How to recognize and respond to road hazards
Techniques for maintaining focus and avoiding distractions
Strategies for safe driving in adverse weather conditions
The importance of vehicle maintenance
Mastering these skills early on helps make teens safer and more confident drivers.
Practical Tips for Teen Drivers
One of the best ways to avoid distractions behind the wheel is to prepare yourself before you start your car. Set up your GPS and create a playlist so you’ll enjoy your drive without fiddling with the radio or your devices while driving.
You might also consider using one of the many apps designed to promote safe driving. Some offer rewards for miles driven without phone interaction, turning safe driving into a game you'll want to win.
How Parents Can Guide Teens Toward Safety
Parents often influence their teens’ driving habits more than they may think. Here are a few ways you can encourage safety behind the wheel:
Open lines of communication: Regularly discuss the dangers of distracted driving with your teen. Make it clear that it’s a serious safety issue, not just another rule to follow. Encourage your teen to share their driving experiences and challenges.
Lead by example: Focus on safe driving habits every time you’re behind the wheel. Avoid using your phone, fiddling with the GPS, or eating while driving, even when you're in a rush. Your actions speak louder than words, and setting a strong example is one of the best ways to influence your teen's driving behavior.
Create a family driving agreement: Work together to set clear, reasonable rules for driving. This may include rules about phone use in the car, following traffic laws, and consequences for distracted driving. Having a signed driving agreement reinforces the importance of these rules and the commitment to safety.
Regular check-ins: Use driving time with your teen to discuss and practice safe driving techniques. Praise their good habits and calmly address areas where they can improve.
Driving Safely Is a Team Effort
Driving is a skill that goes beyond what you learn in driver’s ed. Not only do you need to know the basics, but you also need to make smart choices every time you get behind the wheel. IDriveSafely’s online defensive driving courses are perfect for learning more about safe driving in a fun, engaging way. These courses can also help you save on insurance — pretty cool, right?
Updated 10/28/2024
