Texting and driving has reached epidemic proportions. It is a problem that includes everyone from teen drivers to commercial drivers. Driving risks increase every time someone is more involved with their phone that with watching the road. It is a basic safety issue. Texting and driving accidents are now considered on a par with drunk driving accidents.
For example, in 2010, about 28 percent of accidents were due to drunk driving while 23 percent were attributed to handheld devices. That’s almost 25 percent of all accidents. Truly, texting risks are an epidemic, and, unlike an illness, this is an epidemic that can be ended. Reducing risks from texting starts with smart people taking action.
- So why do drivers keep texting, if it’s so dangerous? In many cases, it’s simply a lack of understanding and a matter of poor training.
- What can individuals do? Parents can enroll their teen in classes that prepare them for the rigors of daily driving.
- What can businesses do? Managers can get their drivers trained in the best defensive techniques. For businesses, this is a matter of reducing liability, too. Let the skilled instructors at Ultimate Defensive Driving help your teen or your fleet of drivers.
Companies that are worried about reducing costs and reducing liability are now requiring commercial drivers to learn defensive techniques. This helps in two ways. First, these drivers learn that texting risks their cargo, their vehicle, their jobs and their lives. Second, they learn basic defensive driving techniques. This helps them watch for other drivers who may be impaired due to their use of handheld devices.
Defensive techniques have been shown to reduce driving risks, reducing injury to individuals and, in the case of businesses, reducing costs associated with liability. Insurance companies and business partners appreciate and reward businesses that train their employees to drive defensively.
Teen programs have sprung up across the country, trying to stop teen drivers and others from texting, while driving. Parents must act, too. Each student needs real coaching to achieve driving safety. Teens are safety risks to themselves and others. Getting help now means reducing injury chances in the future. Effective driving training is the best way of reducing risk and ensuring that young drivers understand their responsibilities to themselves, their passengers and other drivers.
Driving safety is everyone’s responsibility. Getting help from qualified instructors, like Jim Clair and the qualified team at Ultimate Defensive Driving, is a logical way to take responsibility for yourself, your teen or your commercial drivers.