This article was written by Randy Craig, Editorial Manager of National PTA, a not-for-profit association of parents, educators, students, and other citizens active in their schools and communities throughout the United States. He talks about a parents role in stopping their teens from texting while driving. Open communication, looking closer at phone bills, and setting a good example is a great way to get started. Also, using common sense like not calling your teen when you know they are driving as well as asking them if they are driving when you call. David Melton, director of transportation consulting services for the Library Mutual Research Institute for Safety, encourages parents to take a ‘commentary drive’ where parents take teens to an unfamiliar route. While the parent drives the teen should text while trying to describe two things: What they see and how they would respond. Then parents should point out all the potential hazards the teen is missing. I think this is a great idea. It would absolutely show the teen how they are missing many important things such as children running into the street. It would also show the parent how dangerous their teen would be behind the wheel while texting and hopefully they would do more to prevent it such as taking away their ability to text through the service provider.
