As parents we know that our kids are always watching. They notice our behaviors and actions when we least expect it and often reflect back what we do in their own actions.
In a recent study of more than 1,500 teens conducted by Texas A&M University and Aceable Drivers Ed, researchers found that teenagers are more likely to witness their parents engaging in distracted driving behavior than their peers. It’s often assumed that the generation who grew up with cell phones from a young age are the worst offenders when when it comes to poor driving habits when, in reality, they report their friends and peers engaging in fewer instances of distracted driving than their parents.
Modeling good behavior for our kids starts at home. This is why it’s so important for parents to set a great example around safe driving habits. Driving is a huge responsibility and we want our kids to be as safe as possible on the road. Here are a few easy tips to get started so you can set the right example, and become a safer driver yourself:
- Put your phone in the glovebox while driving
- Pull over to a complete stop if you need to make a call or eat
- Get completely ready at home so you’re not multitasking in the car
- Keep pets in a carrier or secured in the back seat while driving
- Find some apps that help pause notifications on your phone while driving
- Always put on your seatbelt and insist others do the same
Be sure to check out the article with more in-depth information and tips from the distracted driving study.
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