Is your teen guilty of DWT?

According to the Centers for Disease Control, motor vehicle crashes are responsible for more than one in three teen deaths, the leading cause of death for teens in the U.S. In 2005, they recorded 12 teens died every day from injuries sustained in an accident. Teens also have the lowest rate of seat belt use.

While speeding and alcohol are clearly lead factors, it’s difficult to ignore the role that cell phone use plays in driving safety. In a recent survey, 60% of young people age 16-19 reported driving while text messaging. There is a growing body of research that shows that texting while driving causes serious distraction — not just because it can take the hands off the wheel and eyes off the road, but also because drivers are not focusing on the task at hand. Importantly, it is not only texting that is dangerous while driving, recent research shows that even when using hands-free devices drivers are four times more likely to get in a crash than those not engaged in virtual conversation.

Mixing cell phones and driving can become dangerous or even deadly very quickly. Seven states now have laws on the books prohibiting any person from sending text messages while operating a vehicle. Talk with your teen and lay clear ground rules for cell phone use. At the top of the list should be: No talking or texting on a cell phone while driving. Make sure your teen knows the consequence – If they break the rule: No cellphone and no car. It’s your teen’s life at stake.

Five tips for parents about teens and DWT

1. Make sure your teen understands your family’s rules about driving and cell phone use.
   
   
2. If you call your child and they pick up while they are driving, ask them to either pull over to talk to you or end the call.
   
   
3. Find out the laws in your state regarding teenage driving and cell phone use.
   
   
4. Be clear that there are consequence for DWT - possibly loss of cell phone or car privileges for a period of time.
   
   
5. Talk with you kids about why DWT is not okay. Nurturing a culture shift where DWT is viewed as un-cool and dangerous will go a long way towards creating safer roads.