Distracted driving is a threat that most people don’t think about, but which kills thousands of people each year. Studies by the Centers for Disease Control found that in 2013, 18% of crashes that resulted in traumatic injuries were caused (at least in part) by distracted driving, which encompasses driving while talking on the phone, texting, watching TV, or doing anything else that takes your eyes off the road or hands off the wheel. Furthermore, this issue is on the rise – according to the CDC, 424,000 people were injured in car accidents that involved a distracted driver in 2013, which is almost 10% more than in 2011.
Teens Admit to Texting and Driving
Among teens, this issue is especially pervasive. Nearly 40% of teens admit to texting and driving on a regular basis. Because of the popularity of social media through apps such as Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat, as well as the ease of communication through texting and messaging apps, teenagers are always getting notifications on their phones, which can lead to distractions when they are tempted to check what they’ve received while on the road. Thankfully, there are ways to harness the popularity of apps to actually do the opposite – protect teens by discouraging distracted driving. Here are several such apps you can encourage your teen to use:
- DriveOFF
This app detects when you’re driving at a speed of over 10 miles per hour, and automatically turns off notifications from apps while also temporarily blocking incoming calls and texts. It was created by the insurance company Ensure for the Android platform.
- DriveMode
AT&T created this app for all customers with Android and BlackBerry devices in order to help curb distracted driving. It works by sensing when the car is going over 25 miles per hour, at which point it automatically replies to all incoming texts and messages to let the sender know that the person is driving and will respond to them later. Calls go to voicemail, and distracting sounds are temporarily turned off.
- DriveScribe
Along with blocking incoming calls and texts, DriveScribe also monitors how fast teens are driving and tells them when they need to slow down. Parents can also use this app to see if their child broke any laws, such as breaking the speed limit or running stop signs, while driving.
Your insurance company may offer you an app like this or other devices to make sure that your teen is not texting and driving. As a parent, it is important for you to talk to your teen about this. Additionally, it is important for you to set a good example and “practice what you preach.” If your child sees you texting and driving they are going to think that it is ok for them to do it as well. You could also ask your child to sign a pledge asking them to fully focus on their driving. Rather than threaten and scorn your child, have a discussion about the very real dangers of this activity. If you see your child practicing dangerous behaviors, you need to figure out an appropriate response. Likewise, if your child is doing what you ask, you should try to figure out how they might be rewarded.
Lodi Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyer
Hello, I’m Ed Smith, a Lodi car accident lawyer. If you believe you, or someone you love has suffered an injury due to a distracted driver, please call me today at (916) 921-6400 for free and friendly advice. If calling outside of Lodi, call me toll-free at (800) 404-5400. When you call, we will begin by going over the details of your case by telephone and see how best to proceed. It is free to call me and there is no obligation for you.
I am a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
See my past Verdicts and Settlements.
Read my reviews on Avvo (the lawyer grading website), Google and Yelp.
Visit the Edward A Smith Law Offices.
Image Attribution: Wikimedia Commons
:bass bw