A new website aimed at helping parents and guardians to raise a generation of distraction-free, safe road users has been launched by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and State Farm.
Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous – but common – activities on the road, according to the GHSA. The new website- Generationdistractionfree.org – contains detailed tips for families with kids of all ages as well as downloadable and printable resources to teach children to stay focused on their surroundings – whether they’re driving, biking, walking or scooting.
“Ending something so entrenched as distracted driving means we have to create a new social norm where distraction is entirely unacceptable,” said GHSA Chief Executive Office Jonathan Adkins.
“Giving families the information and tools to have these important conversations with their kids can help reduce distraction and make our roads safer for everyone using them.”
The website discusses how parents can be a positive role model and not only refrain from using their cell phones while driving, but also explain to their young children why they’re doing this. For school age kids, parents are encouraged to explain that driving takes concentration and skill and to set rules about what behavior is or is not acceptable in the car.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics show crashes caused by distracted driving killed more than 3,300 people and injured another 289,000 in 2022. However, the GHSA points out that distraction is difficult to prove at the scene of a crash, so the actual number of deaths and injuries could likely be higher than reported.
