Texting while Driving among Teens

May 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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For teenagers, texting while driving is becoming an increasingly troubling issue; in fact, research has revealed that texting while driving can be as serious as drunk driving. However, in a recent survey by State Farm, only 36 percent of teens indicated that texting while driving could lead to a fatal accident.

The realities of texting while driving are much more dire than those survey results indicate. While driving at 55 miles per hour, texters can drive the length of the football field without looking at the road. The National Safety Council has estimated that at least 1.6 million crashes—or 28 percent of crashes—involve distracted drivers who are using their cell phones. Texting significantly reduces the driver’s reaction time, leaving him all the more likely to run a red light. In post-crash interviews, many drivers don’t even recall making a hazardous mistake like breezing through a stop sign because they were so involved with typing a message at the time of the accident.

Teens are becoming more and more dependent on cell phones, so it’s no wonder that they’ve taken to texting while driving. According to the Pew Research Center, 75 percent of teens own cell phones. More than half of teens text on a daily basis.

Because of these troubling statistics, many states have taken strides to ban texting while driving. As of May 2011, 32 states, the District of Columbia and Guam have banned texting while driving. Further, eight states, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands prevent drivers from using handheld cell phones altogether.

 

Filed Under: Driving Tagged With: , ,

When Your Teenager is Involved in a Vehicular Accident

May 12, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Teenagers are the most likely of all people to get into a car accident, because they are less experienced as drivers. Teenagers are also less able to make good decisions when there is only a short period of time in which to make them. This means you should do everything you can before your teens get a license to ensure they will be the best drivers possible; just be prepared for the possibility of an accident occurring.

If your child does get into a vehicular accident, they will probably call you first. Make sure that they know what to do if they are in an accident. Here is a list to help.

  • Make sure everyone is OK.
  • Call 911 or the police depending on the situation.
  • Exchange insurance information with the other party.
  • Make an insurance claim.

If someone was injured because of the accident, you may be required to go to court. If you are in the L.A. area, you are going to need the help of a Los Angeles California personal injury lawyer to help you through the process. Hopefully you have enough insurance coverage to cover the costs, but if not, a lawyer can help you make decisions and know your options.

Vehicular accidents are never a happy event, and someone getting injured only makes the situation worse. Teenagers need to be aware that the actions they take behind the wheel can affect them for the rest of their lives, so they should always be alert and do their best to avoid an incident. Help your teen understand the consequences before they even begin driving.

Filed Under: Driving, General Tagged With: , ,

Safe driving tips for teenage drivers

April 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment
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Teenage is that time of life when bravery is at the highest. Even on the road. Teenagers often do not know the value of their own lives, leave alone others’. Teenagers tend to become very rash drivers after consuming alcohol. They meet accidents due to rash driving influenced by alcohol. Some of them drive fast because of the pleasure it gives them. Inexperience causes them to crash. Not onto a tree, or building, but onto anything. Which may be you or me. This makes them potentially dangerous drivers on the road.

To teach your teenage child safe driving tips, here’s what you must do…

Be a safe driver yourself

Teenagers need not, but surely tend to look up to how their elders drive. Although a rash teenager driver’s driving skills cannot be blamed upon his parent, teenagers do see how others drive. By becoming your teenage child’s guru, you will imbibe at an early age the art of safe driving.

Walk them on the roads

Try to take a walk with them on the road. Make it clear to them how it feels when a pedestrian comes in the way of a speeding car. By being a pedestrian they will understand how much important it is for the drivers to drive safely.

Get them enrolled with a good driving school

Driving schools play an important role in teaching the basics well. Your teenage child should learn driving from the best driving school and from the best driving instructors. Even if you have to shell out some additional money, don’t compromise on a good driving school.

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Teen Self-Esteem: Improving Self-Image

March 16, 2011 By Leave a Comment

During the teen years, self-esteem is like a roller-coaster with constaint ups and downs as we try to figure out who we are and what are place is in the world.

People with healthy self-esteem often feel good about themselves, have self-worth, and take pride in their accomplishments, skills, and abilities. People with low self-esteem often feel unworthy, unloved, unaccepted, and unable to do things right.

There are ways to improve and develop healthy self-esteem:

  • Focus on the positive and stop thinking negatively about yourself. Instead of being critical of short comings, counter it by saying something positive or doing something positive such as writing down 3 things you excel at.
  • Stop focusing on perfection and aim for accomplishments. If you enjoy swimming and want to try out for the swim team, don’t hold yourself back because you don’t have proper form.
  • Don’t put yourself down because you missed a step during a recital or missed the basket during a game. Mistakes are learning opportunities which help us to develop our talents and interests.
  • Not everyone can be good at everything. Don’t be afraid to try new things and develop new talents.
  • Recognize the things that you are able to change about yourself and not what you can’t change. Your genes made you short, but that doesn’t mean you can’t stand tall and love the skin your in.
  • Create a list of goals, plan how to accomplish them, track your progress, reward yourself along the way, and find support from others when you struggle.
  • Make a difference in someone else’s life by volunteering to tutor a classmate, helping an elderly neighbor, participating in a charity walk, or volunteer your time at a pet shelter. When you feel like you are valued or making a difference in the world, you improve your personal esteem levels.
Filed Under: Driving, Parenting Tagged With: , ,

Teen Driving: Learning to Be a Defensive Driver

March 9, 2011 By Leave a Comment

You are learning how to drive or maybe even just received your license. Once out on the road, you soon discover that not everyone drives well.

Some people drive fast and aggressively, while other wander between lanes while texting, eating, changing radio stations, or talking on the phone. With all that you also have to keep an eye on drivers following to close behind, making turns without using a signal, or a driver that continues to change lanes.

Aggressive drivers cause one third of every traffic incident, followed closely behind by inattentive multitasking drivers. You can’t control the actions of other drivers on the road, but you can learn defensive driving skills to help avoid the dangers caused by bad drivers.

Here are a few tips to follow when behind the wheel:

  • Stay focused on driving by making it the key thing you do. It is hard enough driving under certain road conditions, observing traffic laws, signals, and signs, and remaining within the speed limit. Keep a strict distraction free activity rule for your car. Make sure that neither you nor your passengers are texting, eating, or doing other distracting activiites.
  • Stay alert so that you can quickly react to potential problems. You should never drive while drowsy or under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Be aware of other drivers by anticipating what the other driver might do and prepare yourself to react. Don’t assume a driver is courteous and will heed to the rules of the road, that the other driver will move out of the way to allow you to merge, will slow at a yellow light, or come to a complete stop at a stop sign.
  • Drive offensively instead of defensively. This means keeping plenty of space between you and the car in front of you, using your turning signals, and being aware of your surroundings.
  • Watch you speed as posted speed limit signs apply towards ideal conditions. If the conditions are not ideal, keep your speed in check and know it is okay to go a bit below the posted limit.
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Getting a College Degree Can Positively Change Your Life

February 15, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Going to college and earning a degree can be such a life changing experience. You may be asking yourself how this could be and what difference does it make if you have a college degree or not. Having a college degree has become very important in the job market today, and can actually open many doors that would not otherwise be open to you. A person that holds a college degree is typically more marketable to employers and companies. Additionally, a college graduate tends to make more money, has access to more job openings and more chances for promotions within a company than someone who doesn’t.

Getting a degree can do many great things for you personally as well. It can give you a great sense of accomplishment and pride, knowing that you have applied yourself, worked hard and succeeded at a worthwhile cause. As you go along the path of obtaining a college degree, you will be introduced to a variety of interesting subjects and ideas that you may not have ever encountered before, broadening your mind and thought process. Additionally, a degree can be a stepping stone later in obtaining even higher education for becoming a doctor, lawyer or educator. Having the undergraduate degree already done will put you on that path a lot sooner than if you didn’t have it.

So, what are you waiting for? You can start searching right now to find what college and what degree will be the best fit for you. Whether you are looking for an Associates or Bachelor degree or a Masters or Doctoral program, there are websites and resources available, such as elearners.com, that can help you with this important decision.

It’s time for you to start your search to better your education and, in turn, better your life!

Filed Under: Counseling, Driving Tagged With: , ,

Setting Rules And Limits For Teen Driving

February 2, 2011 By Leave a Comment

When teens start driving, there can often be tension around the home as they become more independent and have more freedom. They don’t always understand the responsibility that comes with being able to drive. Being able to drive is a privilege that they have to earn by following your rules as well as traffic laws. They may resist your limits on their new-found freedom, so you need to reiterate that you had to go through the same thing once too to prove that you were responsible

When you own the car, it should be pretty clear to your teen that everything you say goes. Strict curfews need to be followed or they lose driving privileges. The same goes for reckless driving, or breaking any of your other rules like no loud music or texting behind the wheel.

When you have purchased them a car, remember that you still have the authority. As long as they are under age, you can still take away the keys. Have them sign a contract before you buy the car. When things are in writing, people tend to take them more seriously. This way, you can always remind them of what they agreed to.

If they buy a car themselves, don’t be manipulated into fixing their mistakes. Depending on your state, you may be legally responsible for any damage they cause. However, you don’t have to pay to fix their own car when they brought the damage upon themselves.

It’s always best to discuss rules, limits and responsibilities before they start driving. When they see that there are costs and consequences to breaking the rules, they might understand how much of a responsibility it really is.

Filed Under: Advice, Driving Tagged With: , ,