Cell phones might allow people to connect with their family and friends more easily but they also have a downside to them. One of these drawbacks includes the problem of texting while driving which has become increasingly prevalent in recent years.

A look at recent facts and figures would reveal why “texting while intexticated” is fast becoming a major concern for parents. Statistics indicate that 23% of all road collisions that took place during 2011 involved texting on a cellular device. That’s well over a million cell phone related accidents which, either seriously or fatally, wounded people. Despite those mind-numbing numbers, a staggering 77% teens admitted, in a survey, that they feel confident in their ability to text while driving.  Taking into account an average speed of 55mph and the minimum amount of 5 seconds that are spent texting in a moving vehicle, we discover that the distance teens cover, while their attention is focused on their cell phones, equals the length of a football field.

Parents’ role in prevention

There is no denying that texting while driving accidents are on the rise. Teens need to be educated on the etiquettes of cell phone usage. They need to realize that such actions not only promote reckless driving but also endanger the lives of innocent bystanders. Teenagers’ texting while driving are becoming a common sight on the roads these days. Parents can discourage the use of cell phones by taking the following measures:

Provide clear instructions

There is a dire need for parents to instruct their kids on the correct use of cell phones. Giving their teens simple and clear instructions on avoiding the use of cell phones while they drive is important. The latest slogan of the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association, “on the road, off the phone” nicely sums this up. Parents need to explain to their teens  how spending just a few seconds on the cell phone, while they are driving,  can seriously injure someone or even cost them their life.

Lead by Example

Research has proven that children pick up habits and personality traits from their parents. Teenagers texting while driving is a fairly new problem with large consequences. Naturally, observing their parents’ texting, while driving, encourages their kids to follow in their footsteps. Thus, parents need to avoid cell phone usage while on the road in order to set the right example for their teens to follow.

Raise Awareness

Parents can set rules around the household, forbidding distracted driving, for, both, themselves and their teens. This would help the teens understand the audacity of this problem.  Furthermore, parents can also speak publicly about the issues and at their teen’s schools to stress upon the importance of focusing on the road and avoiding cell phones while driving.