In the era of smartphones, texting is often more popular than talking on the phone, especially with young people. And while neither is safe to do while driving, texting is especially dangerous because it takes your eyes off the road.
Because of this, numerous campaigns have been launched to raise awareness of just how dangerous texting and driving really is. But not everyone is listening, and distracted drivers continue to endanger themselves and others with their phones.
If you’re a parent, you’re aware of the threat the distracted driving poses to your children. But you’re also aware that when your children become teenagers, they, too, may be tempted to text and drive. The sooner your children learn about the dangers of texting and driving, the easier it will be to say no to this dangerous activity.
The dangers of texting and driving
Driving is one of the most dangerous activities that we do regularly, but we rarely stop and think about what could happen when we get behind the wheel. In fact, driving is such an essential part of most people’s daily routines, we don’t always realize the amount of concentration and concerted effort that goes into operating a motor vehicle safely. We do it without thinking about it.
And most of the time, we’re fine. Accidents don’t occur every time we get behind the wheel, and because of this, most of us probably overestimate our driving skills at least a little bit. But even one lapse in judgment or attention is enough to cause an accident. If you’re looking at your phone while trying to drive, you’re having a lot of those lapses.
How to talk to your kids about texting and driving
One of the most effective ways to teach your kids not to text and drive is to have a conversation with them. They may not want to talk about it, but that doesn’t mean they’re not listening. They’ll remember the things you say, whether they choose to follow them or not.
Another way you can teach your kids the value of safe driving is to set a good example for them. Maybe you’re not texting and driving, but are you sure you’re not taking other risks on the road? Are you shaving, putting on makeup, or keeping one hand on the wheel and the donor in the other? Distracted driving takes a lot of different forms, and some of them aren’t as obvious to most people.
If you’ve been injured because of a distracted driver, contact our office for a free consultation. Katherine is an experienced personal injury attorney, and she can help you navigate the complexities of the law. Give us a call, email, or text message today!