Today, just about everyone has a smartphone, and at any given moment, their attention may be on the device. Unfortunately, the use of smartphones while driving has led to several sobering statistics

• Smartphone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year.
• One in four car accidents is caused by texting while driving, in the United States.
• Texting while driving is six times more likely to cause an accident than drunk- driving.
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that more than 650,000 drivers use their electronic devices while driving.
• Smartphone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year.
• One in four car accidents is caused by texting while driving, in the United States.
• Texting while driving is six times more likely to cause an accident than drunk- driving.
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that more than 650,000 drivers use their electronic devices while driving.

They stay off their own phones while driving:

• They don’t call while their teens are driving, and if they do call, they ask whether the teen is driving and then ask the teen to call them back.
• Some parents use a text blocker. There are many free apps that lock phones when driving speeds are over 15 mph.

Additionally, parents consistently monitor and discuss safe driving rules with their teen drivers.

Finally, car manufacturers have also made changes that combat the rise of automobile crashes related to distracted driving.  Smartphone integration is one example of emerging technology that improves safe driving. This technology frees up drivers’ hands and makes use of voice-activated controls, so teen drivers can still get directions to their destination without taking their hands off the wheel.

There are a lot of great reasons to embrace smartphone use. They make it possible to connect with friends and family members, no matter how far apart they are. With the right habits in place, teen drivers can enjoy the use of their phones without sacrificing their safety.