The troubling reality of texting and driving among teenagers is alarming—about 40% of them admit to it, and this doesn’t even account for those who might be less forthcoming. While it’s easy to criticize the younger generation for their risky behavior, studies reveal that they are largely mirroring what they see in us—adults.
A recent survey conducted by Family Safety Insurance involving 2,500 teens and 1,000 parents of teen drivers has unveiled some unsettling findings. Dr. Samuel Grant, an expert with the organization Teens Against Reckless Driving, highlights some shocking statistics:
- Nearly 50% of parents admit to texting their teenagers while they are driving, with a third expecting a reply before their child reaches their destination.
- More than half of parents are using various apps while behind the wheel, indicating that texting is just one facet of distracted driving. A staggering 68% of teens report that they engage in “app and drive,” with checking social media perceived as a lesser risk compared to texting or drinking and driving.
- 80% of teens view app usage while driving as “not distracting,” which is deeply concerning.
- Alarmingly, 62% of parents acknowledge that they check or answer calls while driving.
Dr. Grant is not here to shame parents, but perhaps he should be. With 11 teens losing their lives each day due to texting and driving, it seems absurd to avoid confronting our own poor habits. It may be time to shine a glaring light on our actions to potentially save lives.
As a parent to a ten-year-old who is quick to point out my inconsistencies (and I’m not just talking about candy consumption), I fully grasp Dr. Grant’s message. While I don’t text while driving, I often find myself checking notifications at stoplights. I recognize this is a dangerous behavior, no different than texting, and I know that my children are paying attention, as my daughter often calls me out on it.
I might not engage in conversations or type messages while driving, but simply holding or glancing at my phone is still considered distracted driving. There’s no justification for this behavior, and I know I’m not alone. Based on survey results and my own observations at stoplights, I frequently see adults looking down when they should be focused on the road. A “quick” glance is not safe, and our kids are observing this pattern.
As parents, we serve as the primary role models for our children’s behavior. If we instruct them not to text or use apps while driving, how can we justify our own actions when we do just that? No matter what we preach, our children internalize our behaviors. They grow up believing that such actions are acceptable, making them likely to repeat these habits when they finally get behind the wheel.
In essence, attempting to modify our texting and driving practices when our kids reach their teenage years may be too late; they need to witness us making the right choices long before they are driving. Texting while driving is six times more likely to result in an accident than driving under the influence. While it’s crucial to continue emphasizing this message, we must equally stress the importance of modeling safe behavior now.
Our children’s lives depend on it. Let’s not let them down.
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Summary:
This article discusses the alarming statistics surrounding parents’ behaviors regarding texting and driving and how these actions set a dangerous precedent for their children. Surveys reveal that many parents engage in distracted driving, which in turn influences teens to do the same. The piece underscores the necessity for parents to model safe driving habits to protect their children’s lives.