Tuesday marks the midway point of the 100 deadliest days for teen drivers. Teenage traffic fatalities increase 26 percent between Memorial Day and Labor Day, as young drivers are out of school and have more free time. To encourage safe behavior behind the wheel, teenagers enrolled in AAA’s teen driver education program in West Hartford, on Tuesday, signed a pledge to not text and drive.
“Texting while driving is one of the riskiest actions someone can take behind the wheel,” said AAA Driving School Manager Steve Rourke. “This is an especially important message for teens, who are frequently the first to adopt new communications technology.”
Texting is the most common distracted driving behavior among teenagers, according to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. Other distractions include talking on the phone, adjusting vehicle controls, grooming, eating, horseplay and loud conversation with others in the vehicle.
AAA Driving School offers the following advice to help reduce distractions behind the wheel:
- Fully focus on driving. Do not let anything divert your attention, actively scan the road, use your mirrors and watch out for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Store loose gear, possessions and other distractions that could roll around in the car, so you do not feel tempted to reach for them on the floor or the seat.
- Make adjustments before your get underway. Address vehicle systems like your GPS, seats, mirrors, climate controls and sound systems before hitting the road. Decide on your route and check traffic conditions ahead of time.
- Finish dressing and personal grooming at home – before you get on the road.
- Snack smart. If possible, eat meals or snacks before or after your trip, not while driving. On the road, avoid messy foods that can be difficult to manage.
- Put aside your electronic distractions. Don’t use cell phones while driving – handheld or hands-free – except in absolute emergencies. Never use text messaging, email functions, video games or the internet with a wireless device, including those built into the vehicle, while driving.
- If you have passengers, enlist their help so you can focus safely on driving.
- As a general rule, if you cannot devote your full attention to driving because of some other activity, it’s a distraction. Take care of it before or after your trip, not while behind the wheel.
With more than 20 locations in Greater Hartford and eastern Connecticut, AAA Driving School offers a full array of driver training courses for all ages, including a 38 hour teen program. The goal of the program is to not only prepare teenagers to drive but to save young lives. Classes are enrolling every week this summer.
