The alarming trend of teens texting while driving is troubling—nearly 40% of them admit to this practice, and that’s not even accounting for those who keep quiet. While it’s easy to criticize younger drivers for their recklessness, studies indicate that they often mimic the behaviors they observe in us—specifically, their parents.
A recent survey conducted by Stellar Insurance, which involved 2,500 teens and 1,000 parents of teen drivers, revealed some unsettling insights. Dr. Mark Anderson, a consultant for the group Teens Against Dangerous Driving, highlighted some concerning statistics: half of the parents surveyed confessed to texting their teens while the latter were behind the wheel, with one-third expecting a prompt reply before the teen reached their destination.
Moreover, more than half of parents admitted to using various apps while driving, indicating that texting is not the sole danger. A staggering 68% of teens reported engaging in “app and drive,” with activities like checking social media perceived as less risky than texting or driving under the influence. Alarmingly, 80% of teens believe that using apps while driving is “not distracting.”
Most troubling of all, 62% of parents acknowledged using their phones to check calls or even respond to them while driving. Dr. Anderson emphasizes that this isn’t about shaming parents, but rather about recognizing the gravity of the issue. With 11 teens dying daily due to texting and driving, we need to confront our own habits to genuinely protect our children.
As a parent of a young child who is quick to point out my contradictions (and I’m not just referring to my occasional candy indulgences), I can relate to Dr. Anderson’s message. While I never text while driving, I often check my notifications at stoplights—a habit I know is dangerous. My daughter has begun to call me out on it, and rightfully so.
Merely holding or looking at my phone, even at red lights, constitutes distracted driving. There’s no justification for this behavior, and I know I’m not alone; I frequently observe other adults glancing down when they should be focusing on the road. “Just” a quick look is still unsafe, and our children are watching us.
As parents, we are the primary role models for our kids. If we tell them not to engage with their phones while driving, how can we justify our own actions? Regardless of our words, our kids will absorb whatever behavior we model in front of them, leading them to believe that such actions are acceptable—setting them up for risky behavior when they eventually take the wheel.
Changing our texting and driving habits when our kids become teens is often too late; they need to see us making responsible choices well before they start driving. Texting while driving is six times more likely to cause an accident than drunk driving, and while we must continue to communicate this message, we also need to exhibit the right behaviors. We must prioritize modeling safe driving practices today for the sake of our children’s future.
Our kids’ safety is paramount, and we cannot afford to let them down.
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In summary, parents must lead by example when it comes to texting and driving. Our behaviors directly influence our children, and we must prioritize their safety by demonstrating responsible habits.