3 Things Parents Can Do to Discourage Texting
While Driving
I am On Your Side®
_________________________________________________________________________
Steve Uhlman | Sponsor Relations Sales Manager
Nationwide Insurance
614-332-4945
[email protected]
istockphoto.com/jason doiy
According to the National Safety Council an
estimated 25% of car
accidents are caused by
cell phone distractions.
And that number is likely
higher among younger,
inexperienced drivers
whose cell phones are
practically an extra appendage. Here are a few
simple things you can do
as a parent to encourage
your teen to put down the
phone and drive.
1. Lead by example
You may not realize it,
but while your teen is learning to drive, he
or she is paying close attention to your driving habits. For your safety as well as to set a
good example, make a point of never using
your phone behind the wheel. This shows
your teen that ignoring the phone while driving isn’t a punishment for inexperienced drivers: It’s a precaution everyone should take,
like buckling a seatbelt.
2. Talk to your kids
Don’t rely on your teen to notice that you’re
not using your phone behind the wheel. Take
a few minutes to explain the dangers of texting while driving and be sure to remind them
that it’s OK to take an emergency call or text
in the car – just pull over first.
3. Explore high-tech solutions
There are several smartphone apps that can
reduce the temptation of picking up the phone
while driving. Most of these apps work by limiting
the functionality of the phone when the car exceeds about 25 mph. Research a few options on
the smartphone platform your teen uses; if your
son or daughter doesn’t have a smartphone, encourage them to get into the habit of turning their
phone off before getting behind the wheel.
As a parent, there’s a lot you can do to influence your teen’s driving behavior. Making sure
your teen understands the dangers of texting
while driving can go a long way toward keeping
your son or daughter safe.
Contact your local Nationwide agent, call 1-877-OnYourSide, or visit nationwide.com/WVFB.
West Virginia Farm Bureau News 7