Think distracted driving is only a problem for teenage drivers? Think again! Now that most adults have a phone in their pockets and touchscreens in their cars, texting while driving is a dangerous habit for people of all ages. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 3,142 people were killed by distracted driving in 2020. And no wonder: 55% of Americans admit to using their phones behind the wheel. When more than half of drivers have their attention divided, it's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt — or worse.
Do you sometimes text and drive? Are you worried that your teen might be tempted by TikTok while driving? Try these tips to take texting off the table in the car.
6 Tips to Stop Texting While Driving
1. Silence Is Golden
Turn your phone's volume down so you can't hear the ringtone or any of the other alert sounds you have for texts, emails, and more. Likewise, turn off the vibrate function, which can be nearly as distracting as a tone. You can't be tempted by what you don't hear!
Pro Tip: Many phones have a "Do Not Disturb" or "Driving" setting to silence notifications while you're on the road. Just turn it on, and your phone will automatically go quiet when it senses you're driving.
2. Out of Sight, Out of Mind
For some hardcore texters, having the volume and vibrate feature off may not be enough. You may still be tempted to grab the phone to check for texts "just in case." Keeping the phone out of reach can fix this problem. Put your phone in the back seat or in the trunk where you can't access it until you reach your destination.
3. Just Pull Over
If you discover an urgent need to text someone while you're driving, take a few extra minutes to pull safely off the road first. In most cases, it doesn't take long to find a safe place to pull over. If the issue isn't important enough to stop your vehicle, it's not important enough to risk your life by messing with your phone while you are driving.
4. Model Good Behavior
Parents, you can't expect your teens to listen if you ignore the rules while driving. Make sure your kids see you turning your phone off and putting it away before you start the car. There should be no exceptions to the rules you set, and modeling the behavior you want your teens to emulate is much more powerful than a "do as I say, not as I do" attitude.
5. There's an App for That
According to the CDC, 39% of high school students admit to texting while driving. Fortunately, there are apps that can lock your teen's phone while their car is in motion. You can also install an app that reports on texting behavior or track your teen's location. These may be especially helpful to help rebuild trust if your teen has been in a fender bender or otherwise abused their driving privileges.
6. Enforce Consequences
Parents MUST stay tough when it comes to enforcing the rules about texting and driving. Be clear about the consequences up front. Then, if you discover that your teen is texting and driving, follow through immediately, and refuse to bargain. Texting and driving is a big deal, and as long as you treat it that way every single time, your teen will get the message.
Still concerned about your teen — or you! — making good choices behind the wheel? Sign up for a defensive driving course. You'll brush up on your skills and learn to avoid unsafe practices on the road.
Updated 12/19/22
