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Distracted Driving - A risk not worth taking!

Source: Under Your Influence

Virginia Tech study confirms texting while driving is a huge risk. The results of the National Youth Traffic Safety Month survey that was sponsored by The Allstate Foundation indicated that although youth realize it is dangerous - they still text and drive. The survey indicated:

Teens rank texting and talking on a cell among most dangerous driving risks (87 percent believe texting while driving is dangerous)

Compared to other dangerous driving situations teens indicated that they feel texting is only second to the danger of driving on icy roads yet the majority admit to taking these preventable risks.

68 percent of teens admit to texting while driving (79 percent of females) but only 21percent reported that they were confident in their driving ability while texting

63 percent say talking on a cell phone while driving is dangerous

83 percent of teens admit to talking on their cell phone while driving (90 percent female) but only 43 percent reported that they were confident in their driving ability while talking on a cell phone

The Virginia Tech study found texting while driving increases the risk of a crash much more than previous studies have concluded with motorists taking their eyes off the road longer than they do when talking or listening on their cell phones.

Dialing a cell phone and using or reaching for an electronic device increased risk of collision about 6 times in cars and trucks. Right before a crash or near collision, drivers spent nearly five seconds looking at their devices, which was enough time at 55 mph to cover more than the length of a football field.

Read more about this ground-breaking study by clicking here.

Parents, it's up to you and YOUR influence. Keep your teen safe. Take a hard stand against distracted driving so that your teen can drive by the rules and keep the privilege! For tips on guidance and enforcement, click here.

Check it out for great links, facts, and an interactive map that lists the distracted driving laws for your state. It's important to remind your teen that they need to drive by the rules in order to keep the privilege!

For even more information and helpful tips, visit Under YOUR Influence.