However, it should also bring to mind that distractions are real for all drivers and that new drivers are just the start. We should all set the bar high for driving without distractions by changing the way we stay  connected. How? Take a stand. Take a stand by saying “I will not use my phone when I drive for any reason- and I will tell others that I’d prefer they don’t either.”

We are all affected by each other’s driving habits. If I choose to be distracted- even for just a few seconds- I am taking your safety away from you during that time. And who’s to say that’s not the time when you are about to pass me, going the other direction and I cross the center line? And if it’s not, then I am lulled into believing that there really are not any times when it’s critical that I pay full attention to driving. Anytime is a good
time take or make a call, or read a text. Right?

What I do affects you, and what you do affects me and people that I care about too. If you don’t think that a teen should drive while using their phone, or a school bus driver, or a surgeon or airline pilot- then why is it ok for anyone to?

When people make a mistake we are quick to label it ‘an accident’. But when someone tells you that doing something while driving increases the risk of causing a crash, and you ignore that risk and do it just the same, is that an accident? When you learn of a teen who is texting and it causes a fatal crash, do you say “It was just an accident” or do you say “With all of the media about this, they should’ve known better.”

It’s time for EVERYONE to do the right thing- not just the people we think might be most at risk- and do something proactive. Here are 2 easy and cost free ideas that make a difference.

1) Take the Pledge:  Fill out your name on this form and we’ll send you back a personalized pledge for free!  Sign it in front of your family and friends to show your commitment to end distracted driving.

2) Change Your Message!  By changing the message on your cell phone, and then not using it while you drive, you will change your visual message as well while you drive and alert others to your commitment to respect lives over calls or messages.

Rob Reynolds

Director

C.A.R. Alliance for Safe Teen Driving

 

The C.A.R. Alliance is proud to be part of the collaboration with the Safety Council, Greater Omaha Chapter, as well as other community safety organizations such as “Keep Kids Alive, Drive 25“, community leaders and state and local law enforcment to present the National Cell Off campaign.

The goal of this community-wide effort is to reduce the number of crashes caused by cell phone distractions each year by simply asking drivers to turn off their cell phones before they use their vehicle.

In doing so, the some 1/2 million injury crashes and average 15 deaths per day attributed to cell phone distracted driving; the vast majority of which are attributed to cell phone calling, not texting (2009 crash estimates).

This program works hand in glove with our own program called “Change Your Message” which asks drivers to change the actual message on their cell phone to say, “Hi, I’m either busy or driving; please take my advice and don’t drive distracted.” and by not using your cell phone while driving you are changing your visual message as well.

Driving without this very intrusive distraction is imparative to reducing injuries and deaths on the road. Please join in these campaigns today!

Many teen crashes occur in rural areas but there are also many crashes that simply involve distractions on city roads and highways.  It’s important to understand the situations that create the highest risk for teen crashes:

- Night Driving (most teen crashes occur after 9pm, or going to/from school)

- Speeding  (most teen crashes involve significantly increased speeds or going faster than weather conditions will allow for)

- Passengers  (each passenger in a teen driver’s car significantly increases crash risks)

- High Risk Driving  (teens have the lowest seat belt use and have a higher tendency to exhibit risky driving behavior)

- Distractions  (any electronics, mobile devices, MP3 players, cd/dvd players, GPS systems- all of these can distract the driver from safely operating their vehicle).

- Cell Phones  (most teens find it very difficult to ignore their cell phones while driving, yet this one device will cause the majority of distractions on the road).

Remember: The more time that you expose yourself one or multiple risk factors, the more likely you are to cause, be injured in or die in a motor vehicle crash.  Teens (15-20yr olds) have 4 times increased risk of crashing, compared to other more experienced drivers. Add to that some of these other conditions and the results can be disasterous.