Teens were asked in the survey if they would stop a particularly dangerous distractions as they drove if asked. The distractions, or functions, were text messaging; talking on a cellular phone; speeding; and fasten their seatbelts. The survey found that:
• One-third of teens said that they would stop text messaging.
• 35 percent said that they would stop talking on a mobile phone.
• 46 percent said that they would stop speeding.
• 24 percent said that they would fasten their seatbelt.
May is National Youth Traffic Safety Month. Below are several schools and their teen driver safety programs:
• Bishop McNamara High School, Forestville, MD, hosted a teen driving safety forum.
• Chelsea Public School, Chelsea, Vermont created videos encouraging the use of seatbelts.
• Dermott High School, Dermott, Arkansas performed skits and activities during prom week to share alcohol and drug related crash information.
• Kearney High School, Kearney, Nebraska promoted its “Always Alert, Always Alive” Program through a mock crash and a safety scavenger hunt.
• Notre Dame Preparatory, Scottsdale, Arizona conducted a number of activities including the placement of crosses in front of the school chapel representing the 16 teens who die in crashes every day.
• Oxford Academy, Cypress, California gave presentations to drivers’ education courses.
• Richmond High School, Richmond, Indiana did a blood drive, mock car crash and visual promotion.
• Wayne High School, Huber Heights, Ohio produced a video on drinking and driving showed during prom.
Our take? Good, overall advice if followed. We'd add that teens should also be educated at the number of "nanny" gadgets that parents -- and the law -- have access to as well. These include GPS tracking devices and engine disablers. Maybe that'll make them pause the next time they try to text message while driving to that secret meeting up in the hills....