Our firm has posted numerous messages on social media about the dangers of texting and driving. There is no question about those dangers, and parents of teenage drivers should be particularly concerned about them.

However, a new study issued by AAA’s Foundation for Traffic Safety reminds us that cell phones are not the only things which create distractions for teen drivers. The study found there are multiple distractions which can cause driving errors. Those include loud conversation, turning around to face a passenger in conversation, eating or drinking, personal hygiene (such as using the rear-view mirror to put on makeup), or adjusting controls.

There were some interesting differences in the distracted behaviors shown by males vs. females. Teen girls were more likely to adjust controls in the car, while teen boys were more likely to face a passenger while having a conversation. But both genders were equally likely to engage in loud conversation with their passengers.

Obviously, any passenger can distract a driver. However, AAA’s study found that who the passengers are makes a big difference for distraction potential. Teen drivers were more than twice as likely to engage in distracted behaviors when there were multiple friends in the car.

Most people would not need a study to tell them a car full of teenagers can be a dangerous thing. What the study makes clear, however, is that the presence of a parent or adult in the car can prevent or stifle a lot of bad driving behavior. The study found loud conversation or horseplay were much less likely if at least one of the passengers was a sibling, parent, or other adult. Teen drivers generally behaved better in the presence of those people.

To conclude, parents or other adults responsible for teens should do a few common sense things:

1) Avoid situations where your teen driver is carrying a carload of other teens, especially during “recreational” times like evenings and weekends. Whenever possible, have them give a ride to one friend only.

2) If your child is going to carry more than one friend in the car, put a damper on the rolling party atmosphere by having an adult in the car as well. When that’s impossible, a sibling in a different age group might help. Your designated passenger may have to endure some really bad music, but remember that it’s a small price to pay for safety.

3) Don’t just forbid the use of phones or tablets. Forbid reading, putting on makeup, and changing CDs or music on other media. Also, ban eating and drinking in the car. It will make your child safer, and as a bonus, may keep the car free from the smell of stale French fries.

If you would like more information about the dangers your teenager may face on the road, or have a potential case and need legal advice, contact Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers today for support!

Contact the Clearwater Car Accident Law Firm of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today

For more information, please contact the legal team of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation with a car accident lawyer in Clearwater. We have four convenient locations in Florida: Clearwater, New Port Richey, and Tampa.

We serve throughout Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and its surrounding areas:

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite I-1
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 787-2500

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Congress Ave Office
2360 Congress Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 591-5610

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
6601 Memorial Hwy Suite 202
Tampa, FL 33615
(813) 686-7588

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
2515 Seven Springs Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL, 34655
(727) 815-8442