It is not a secret that girls like to talk. So it should come as no surprise that teenage girls are twice as likely as teen boys to use cell phones behind the wheel of their vehicles. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study indicates that distracted driving is prevalent among all teenage drivers; however, teenage girls use electronic devices double the rate as teenage boys.

Using electronic devices behind the wheel means any of the following things:

  • Texting while driving
  • Talking on a handheld cell phone while driving
  • Talking on a hands free device
  • Using the cell phone to look up information
  • Using Twitter behind the wheel
  • Posting to Facebook while driving
  • Checking email at the wheel
  • Downloading an app

Whatever type of cell-phone related distracted driving a teenager engages in, it can be extremely dangerous – not to mention against the law. This study also revealed that teenagers cause car accidents throughout this nation by grooming, adjusting the radio, and reaching for things inside the car while driving. Using a cell phone while driving is illegal for drivers under the age of 18, and texting while driving is against the law for all Georgia motorists. It’s important that teenagers obey these laws, as car crashes are still the number one killer of teenagers. Distracted driving behaviors are believed to increase a teen driver’s chance of a fatal car crash.

How do I know if my daughter is telling me the truth that she doesn’t text and drive?

Many teen drivers don’t want their parents to know how much they use their cell phones behind the wheel. Additionally, some novice drivers are in denial about their distracted driving behaviors, as they may feel they would be able to avoid danger or that nothing would happen to them.

While your daughter may be a great kid, she is a teenager who may be tempted to talk on her cell phone or text someone back while she is driving. Girls are far more likely to post Facebook updates and text while driving than boys are; however, that doesn’t mean your daughter is. The only way you could probably know for sure is to get a phone application that tracks these behaviors or disengages distracting technology.

Some good applications with modest costs include SecuraFone and Otter, and there are even free apps that can help prevent distracted driving. It is a good idea to regularly have conversations with your daughter about the dangers of distracted driving. You should also take care to set a good example when your daughter is traveling with you and watching your every move at the wheel.

Dangers Of Distracted Driving

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving contributes to over 3,000 fatalities each year, and that number is believed to be much larger as many distracted driving accidents are not reported to law enforcement. May is Global Youth Traffic Safety Month, and as part of this safety awareness month, our Atlanta car accident lawyers are encouraging teen drivers to drive smart and for teenage girls to put down their cell phones behind the wheel.