Even though you may think they aren’t paying attention, kids are like sponges, absorbing details of the world around them. From the day they are born, children watch their parents closely to learn how to behave, communicate, and survive. So when it’s time to learn how to drive, remember that they have been analyzing Mom and Dad for years. Make sure that before they get to driving age, children have only observed good driving behavior, so they make the right choices when behind the wheel themselves.
Key influences:
Drunk driving
Cars and alcohol don’t mix, and setting the right example can shape safe driving behavior. But clearly, the lesson isn’t being learned by enough drivers. In 2012, there were more than 10,000 alcohol-impaired driving deaths—up 4.6 percent from 2011. Adults are more likely to drive after drinking, compared to teens, but teenagers have a higher crash risk. Simple rule: always have a designated driver if alcohol will be consumed. Make sure children know the risks and let them feel comfortable calling home at any time if they are faced with a potential dangerous situation.
Speeding
We are all busy and hurrying around, but instead of speeding to transport children to activities or school, allot extra time so it isn’t necessary. Or simply except being late. Racing cars or trying to weave around other drivers are things kids are going to think are fun and want to do as well. After all, it looks fun in the movies and in video games. Young drivers, in particular, engage in enough risky practices without encouraging speeding or bending other traffic laws. Adults need to demonstrate that driving must be taken seriously.
Distraction
Using cell phones while driving has become commonplace. We see it all the time, but studies increasingly show that the combination can be deadly. In 2012, 3,328, people died in distraction-related crashes and an estimated 421,000 were injured. As frightening as the figures seem, those numbers are probably underestimated. A new study by AAA found that parents are more at fault than teens. Adults between the ages of 25 and 39 were the most likely to admit engaging in distracting behaviors behind the wheel. Forty-three percent of those adults reported using the phone often or regularly while driving, compared to only 20 percent of teens.
I recently spoke to some teens who told me that getting their parents to stop using the phone was a challenge; the parents are worse offenders than other teens. Parents need to model good behavior when driving and put the phone away, because young, impressionable eyes are watching.
For more about the dangers of distracted driving, see our special section.
—Liza Barth
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