PEMCO: Texting While Driving Rate Up

PEMCO Insurance issued a news release, August 25, that reveals more Washingtonians are texting while driving. The PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll, conducted by FBK Research, shows that of those who use electronic devices, more of them – 18% – admit to reading or sending text messages while driving than in February 2008, when only 6% said they did so. Ironically, the same poll found that increasing numbers of drivers are concerned that texting while driving is a dangerous distraction.

Under Your Influence, a website dedicated to parents of teen drivers maintains the following:

They'd probably never tell you this but your teen really does look up to you. Under the layers of music, school activities, problems with friends, rebellion, struggles, and joys is your teen, and they need you to guide them in what they should and should not do. It's pretty clear that car crashes are the number one cause of death among teens, and if we all just ignore the problem, it's not going to go away.

Moral of the story? Monkey see, monkey do. It's still dangerous for you, even as a parent, to be texting while driving. It's even worse to do it in front of your teen.


Under Your Influence also gives these practice tips on driving with your teen:

1. Don't be pushy
2. You are in control
3. Set some basic ground rules
4. Pack your patience
5. Don't talk down to your teen while you're teaching them how to drive
6. Be sure to give specific praise to your teen while they drive
7. Set a specific agenda for each time you take your teen out to practice
8. Keep your conversations focused on driving
9. Set a time limit that both you and your teen can agree on
10. Keep a driving log while you practice
11. Don't stop talking to your teen after they get their license