Distracted Driving: A Wake-Up Call for Teens and Parents
One of the first ways teens practice responsibility and independence is by earning their driver’s license and getting behind the wheel.
It’s an exciting time – being in charge of your own transportation – but it’s also a societal commitment to being safe on the road. Reckless driving can result in bodily harm and death for yourself, your passengers and other drivers; damage to automobiles, buildings and roadways; and a lot of time and money spent navigating insurance, legal fees, tickets and more. That’s why it’s critically important when teaching teens to drive that they understand what distracted driving is and the cost of driving distracted.
Boys & Girls Clubs provides yearly teen driving programs that ensure our teens can learn the rules of smart driving. Here’s some of what Club teens have learned:
Top 3 Common Distractors on the Road
According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, the below three issues are the most common distractions many of us all face on the road:
- Visual distractions such as looking at your GPS navigation, a billboard on the highway, looking at scenery that’s not directly in your front view.
- Manual distractions that might cause you to move your hands away from the wheel, that can include using your phone, changing your music, eating or even reaching for something in the backseat.
- Cognitive distractions that might take your mind off of driving, such as singing, talking and or daydreaming.
Boys & Girls Clubs Of Silicon Valley
Your gift of time and treasure ensures local youth have a safe place to learn and have fun during out of school hours. To get involved, email contact@bgclub.org or donate today.
What Our Parents Say:
“My son interacts more with other children and he’s not as shy as before. This program helped my son feel more confident speaking with other kids.”
What Our Parents Say:
“They are very caring and considerate of others’ feelings. They make you feel like family.”
What Our Parents Say:
“This program is a huge benefit for our child and all the kids in our school. He gets fed, help with homework, and a chance to play with his peers every day…we’re very fortunate to have such incredible staff that are dedicated to serving the people in our community.”
What Our Parents Say:
“It has been an absolute lifesaver.”
What Our Parents Say:
“Staff take good care of my kids, they feel safe. They help guide them and communicate great with them. I have never heard any complaints from any staff member. Kids not only request to attend after-school program but also the summer.”
