What is it about our cell phones? We can’t leave home without them and when we do, we panic.
Most of us will turn around to go back and retrieve a cell phone left behind. We rationalize the importance of our phones. I know I do.
I think, What if I miss an important message? What if someone is trying to get in touch with me? What if I get in an accident and need to call my husband or kids?
All these thoughts force us to think we cannot travel without our phones, but what we don’t think about is that, while our phones can help us in a crisis, they are just as likely to be the cause of a serious accident.
How many of you text or read emails while driving? I admit I’m guilty. For teens, their cell phones are the primary way to communicate and stay connected to their friends. Add a car, and it can cause a lot of anxiety for parents.
Texting while driving is now the leading cause of death among teenagers–more than 3000 teens die each year due to it, according to a study covered in Newsday.
And according to textinganddrivingsafely.com, 52% of teens who were asked admitted that they talk and drive, and 34% admitted to texting and driving. Frightening stats for any parent or grandparent!
How do you keep your daughter or granddaughter safe while driving?
- Be her role model. If you use your cell phone while driving, she will feel it’s okay to use her cell phone when she drives. Put your phone in your purse, pocket or glove box.
- New apps are available to help keep her safe. Textecution, IZup, txtblocker, Otter and cellsafety are a few of the popular ones. These apps use a GPS and will automatically disable the texting capabilities once a vehicle reaches a certain speed.
If you enable these apps, you can ensure that your teen daughter or granddaughter won’t be tempted to answer the phone.
- Talk to your daughter about the dangers of using a cell phone while driving. If she doesn’t listen to you and continues to text while driving, temporarily revoke her driving privileges.
Our teens are our future. Our prayers are for their protection.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run to it and are safe. He’s watching over us. (Proverbs 18:10)
