I admit that I did not own a cell phone when I was growing up. I drove without a cell phone until my early 20s. However, today it seems like 10 year olds have cell phones. Yes, I actually know a 10 year old with a cell phone.
Anyway, today’s young drivers have cell phones. Not only that, but they use them – even when driving. Some states have tried to curb this by passing laws to limit teenagers use of phones when they are driving. A new study shows that these laws do not actually change the usage habits of teen drivers.
Interestingly, or maybe not so interestingly, is that parent involvement has a bigger effect. If parents get involved and talk to their teens about the dangers of driving while on the phone, teens are less likely to use cell phones.
If you are the parent of a teen driver, make sure you talk to your child about the dangers of driving while on the cell phone. And feel free to tell them to call me if they want to hear it from someone who has personally seen the devastation caused by teens driving while talking.