In the realm of safe driving, parents are failing to set a positive example for their children. Alarmingly, statistics reveal that 40% of teenagers admit to texting while driving, and this figure doesn’t even account for those who don’t own up to it. While it’s easy to criticize the younger generation for their irresponsible habits, research shows that these behaviors are often learned from us— their parents.
A recent survey conducted by Greenfield Insurance, which involved 2,500 teens and 1,000 parents of teen drivers, uncovered some unsettling trends. Dr. Amy Rodriguez, an advisor for the organization Teens Against Dangerous Driving, highlighted some shocking information: half of the parents admitted to knowingly texting their teens while they were driving, with a third expecting a reply before their teen even reached their destination. Moreover, over half of the parents reported using apps while driving, indicating that texting is not the only concern. An astounding 68% of teens also confessed to “app and driving,” believing that using social media is less risky than texting or driving under the influence. Disturbingly, 80% of teens view app usage while driving as “not distracting,” and 62% of parents acknowledged checking incoming calls or answering them while driving.
Dr. Rodriguez emphasizes that the goal is not to shame parents but to invoke a sense of responsibility. With 11 teens losing their lives daily due to texting and driving, it seems imperative to highlight our poor habits if it could save lives. As a parent myself, I often find my nine-year-old eager to point out my contradictions—whether it’s indulging in candy when I’ve told her she can’t or, more seriously, checking my phone at red lights. I recognize it’s a dangerous habit. Even if I’m not texting while driving, simply holding or glancing at my phone constitutes distracted driving. I’ve personally witnessed countless adults looking down at their devices instead of focusing on the road ahead. “Just” a quick glance is still a danger, and our children are observing.
As parents, we serve as the primary role models for our children. If we instruct them not to text and drive or engage with apps while behind the wheel, how can we justify doing the very things we warn them against? Our actions speak louder than our words. If we check our phones while driving in front of our kids, we’re inadvertently teaching them that such behavior is acceptable, setting them up to adopt these habits as soon as they get behind the wheel themselves.
In light of these facts, it’s clear that trying to change our driving behaviors once our children are teenagers is simply too late; they need to witness us practicing safe driving long before they ever take the wheel. Texting while driving is proven to be six times more likely to cause an accident than driving under the influence; while we must continue to emphasize this, we should also stress the importance of modeling good behavior now, not later. Our children’s safety relies on it, and we must not let them down.
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In summary, parents need to recognize their role as models for safe driving behavior. By addressing their own habits, they can help prevent dangerous practices in their children, ultimately saving lives and fostering responsible driving.