Distraction.gov states “Did you know that traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for American teens? And when it comes to distracted driving, young people are among the most likely to text and talk behind the wheel.” Distracted driving accounts for thousands of deaths every year, and distraction.gov has been created to help fight this growing problem.
Distraction.gov is a site dedicated to ending distracted driving. It is targeted largely at educating teens and young driver about the dangers of distracted driving. It mentions that 10% of all drivers younger than 20 who were involved in fatal accidents admit to being distracted at the time of the accident. Drivers age 20-29 account for nearly 27% of all fatal accidents involving distracted drivers. A large and deadly problem exists and distraction.gov is aimed at solving it.
One of the primary features of the site is The Pledge. It seeks to end distracted driving by asking each individual to hold themselves accountable. It asks that people pledge to avoid texting and talking on the phone, avoid distracting other drivers, and encourage their friends and family to stay off their phones while driving. It is a simple pledge and one that will hopefully make a difference.
The website further appeals to parents and educators to help end distracted driving. Educators can reach children through the classroom and begin educating them at a young age. They can continue this education through high school when teens are starting to drive. Teachers can also reach out to other teachers and school employees as a way to spread the message. Parents are encouraged to get the entire family involved. Mom, Dad, brother and sister can all get together and take the family pledge. If parents can set a positive example, hopefully their kids will follow suit.
Working together, and with the help of resources like distraction.gov, we may be able to end the hazards of distracted driving.