On the Road, Off the Phone

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Teen drivers enter the roadways with the best of intentions, lots of excitement, and by definition, with the least amount of experience behind the wheel – add the potential distractions of texting or talking on the phone while driving to the equation and the situation could become dangerous, quickly.

That’s why CTIA and NSC are joining together to empower parents to talk to their teenage drivers about the dangers of potential distracted driving resulting from cell phone use while behind the wheel. Tell your teen drivers: on the road, off the phone

Watch this powerful video and share it with your friends and family members to remind them of the dangers of distracted driving.

And when you're done watching the video, listen to our new radio PSAs as well:

30-second PSA
60-second PSA

For more information about distracted driving and safe driving practices for teens, visit www.nsc.org and their teen driver site www.teendriver.nsc.org.

Distracted Driving 101

Tips for Parents of Teen Drivers

About Us

Distracted Driving 101

Distractions caused by cell phones are especially dangerous for teen drivers because:

  1. teens are the most inexperienced drivers of any group and
  2. they also fall into the group that is most likely to use a cell phone and, particularly, text message while driving.

For teen drivers, talking on a cell phone and texting while driving are high-risk activities that often last longer than other distractions, such as adjusting the radio or eating while operating a vehicle.

For most teens, texting is an important way to communicate. It takes restraint not to text while driving and this can be a difficult behavior to change. Rules set by parents will help reduce this threat.

Tips for Parents of Teen Drivers

Research tells us that all drivers’ first few months as an unsupervised driver are a particularly risky time – the most risky time for your teen driver.

That is why it’s important to set expectations up front with your teen about good driving behaviors you expect him or her to follow and clearly state the consequences if rules are broken.

Sample Rules:

  • When you're on the road, you have to stay off the phone. That means no texting, no checking for messages, no reading emails and no talking.
  • Only use a cell phone when the car is safely parked.
  • If you find it hard to resist the urge to check the phone, try putting the cell phone in the glove compartment.

Don’t forget that driving is a privilege that you, the parent, can grant only when you think your teen is ready to make safe decisions. Tell your teen: On the road, off the phone.

About Us

About CTIA: The Wireless Association ®
(Your Wireless Companies)

CTIA is the international association for the wireless telecommunications industry, representing carriers, manufacturers and wireless Internet providers.

www.ctia.org

About The National Safety Council

The National Safety Council is a nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping people safe by preventing injuries and deaths wherever they may occur – at work, in homes, communities and on the roads -- through leadership, research, education and advocacy.

www.nsc.org
www.teendriver.nsc.org