April is Distracted Driving Month! There are numerous campaigns that aim to increase people’s awareness on the negative effects of distracted driving. Teens are the focus of any campaign, being the biggest culprit. Fox teen hit TV show Glee features a distracted driving crash cliffhanger from last season in their season premier. As far as my girls go it doesn’t get any bigger then Glee.
A recent survey from State Farm points out that many teens still do not get the message of not texting while driving. Harris Interactive have surveyed 652 teens ages 14-17 in February to examine their attitudes and behaviors around driving. The survey showed that just 43% of drivers ages 16 and 17 say that they never texted while driving. This result is similar to the percentage result as in the insurer’s first survey done in 2010.
In Glee’s cliffhanger from last season, Quinn Fabray rushed to her ex-boyfriend’s wedding. She was texting while driving when her vehicle was blindsided by a truck. Viewers were left wondering about her fate as the screen went black. We will see if her contract is renewed.
Teens are still texting while driving. It is not until they or a friend is involved in a car accident that they see the real damage texting while driving can cause. Parents play an important role in the battle against teen texting and driving. As emphasized by the survey, 67% among teens who text will talk often with their parents about driving. This rises to 82% among teens who never text while driving. The bottom line is communication.
The fight against teen texting and driving is far from over. It is important to increase teen awareness on the effects of texting and driving as well as teaching them how to drive safely. Parents should continue to talk with their children and never miss to emphasize the importance of safety and to never hold their phone while in control of the wheel. Use shows, such as Glee, which shows this behavior and the dangers to start your conversation. This well could avoid a Knetucky car accident,
