My parents bought my daughter a new car for graduation and she goes to college seven hours away in the fall.
I’m excited that she has a beautiful new car.?I’m also terrified.
Like most teens, and indeed even like most adults (myself included),?my daughter occasionally texts while driving. It may be more than occasionally.
How bad is it when kids do this? A study conducted in Belgium shows us. From the video description:
More and more traffic accidents are due to texting. If we want to reduce the 1.2 million traffic victims worldwide each year, we have to act. How do you convince youngsters not to text while driving? Prove them it is a very bad idea: oblige them to text while driving! See how Belgian learner drivers reacted when they were told they had to pass the mobile phone test in order to get their driver’s license.
Here’s an important piece of info: kids know this is dangerous. The?young people themselves?say so in this video. Their response to this exercise tells us so. Before they even begin, they tell the instructor that it’s dangerous and even “impossible.”
So the question is, how do we stop them from doing it? Is legislation enough? Will it even stop kids from texting while driving? I’m doubtful, but if it becomes a serious enough offense, it could make a difference.
Leave your thoughts and suggestions in the comments.
Tiffany Willis is the founder and editor-in-chief of Liberal America. An unapologetic member of the Christian Left, she has spent most of her career actively working with ?the least of these? and disadvantaged and oppressed populations. She’s passionate about their struggles. To stay on top of topics she discusses,?like her?Facebook page,?follow her on Twitter, or?connect with her via LinkedIn. She also has?a?grossly neglected personal blog?and a?literary quotes blog that is a labor of love. Find her somewhere and join the discussion.
