by Shannon England-Rice
Child Advocacy Specialist

As a mom of a recent 16 year old driver, driving safely and cautiously has been on the forefront of my mind. As my son will tell you, it has been a frequent topic of conversation at the dinner table lately - and it should be a frequent topic you discuss with your teens.

Within a matter of seconds, a loss of attention can lead to a car crash. Every year, the number of vehicle crashes caused by distracted driving increases. According to National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), the number of deaths caused by distracted driving in 2009 was close to 5,500. Even more alarming, an estimated 448,000 people were injured as a result of distracted driving.

As you might suspect, the most common type of distraction is cell phone use. There are, however, numerous other potential distractions while driving. Here is a list of the most common distractions and some tips on how to eliminate them.

1. Cell phones: Stow away all phones including hands free devices. Studies show that driving while using a cell phone, even hands free, reduces the amount of brain activity by 37 percent. Pull over if you can’t wait to make or take a call.
2. Talking to Passengers: When driving with other passengers, intense or involved conversations can take your attention away from traffic signals and pedestrians. Save these in-depth conversations for outside the car.
3. IPods, Radio, and CD’s: Don’t operate your electronic gadgets while driving. Find your playlist or station before you start to drive.
4. Day Dreaming: Take breaks to avoid spacing out. If your mind is wandering and not focused on driving, pull over and take care of your thought by writing, making a call, or whatever it may be. Another suggestion is to take regular breaks when driving long distances.
5. GPS: Input GPS settings before you drive. You should also listen to your GPS and not watch it.
6. Drinking/Eating/Applying Makeup: These activities should be obvious. Not only are they distracting, but they also take your hands off from the wheel, which could cause drifting, swerving or over-correction.
7. Child/Pet in Vehicle: When dealing with misbehaving children, resist taking your eyes of the road. The best option is to pull over and handle the situation. In addition, pets belong in the back seat and in a carrier. Unsecured pets can cause major distractions while driving.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. What kind of grade would you earn when considering your actions in the car?

The above list has made me more aware of areas where I need to improve, and I pledge to do a better job of driving distracted free. Each of us Make the decision today to stop driving distracted. Be an example for your teens, and talk to your teens about this important topic.

Shannon England-Rice has a degree in Public Heath, and has been working in Primary Children’s child advocacy department for 9 years. She’s dedicated to keeping kids safe through car seats, helmets, and parental supervision. She works with the Hold Onto To Dear Life campaign and other outreach programs. Shannon has 6 children and loves to exercise, read, shop, and travel.