The beginning of a new year feels like a fresh start, which is probably why so many of us resolve to improve something about ourselves. If your teen is considering making a New Year’s Resolution, encourage them to make a “no texting behind the wheel” resolution. This resolution will keep your teen, and those around him/her, safe!

Distracted driving is any activity that diverts attention from driving, including texting, looking at your cellphone, talking on your phone or to people in your vehicle, eating and drinking, putting on makeup, fiddling with the entertainment or navigation system — anything that takes your attention away from the task of safe driving.

Texting is the most alarming distraction, and the most common distraction among youth. Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed. Consider these alarming statistics:

• While 94% of teens acknowledge that texting while driving is dangerous, almost 40% admit to doing it.
• One out of every 4 car accidents in the U.S. is caused by texting and driving.
• Texting while driving is 6x more likely to cause an accident than driving drunk.
• Drivers are more than 3x more likely to get in a car accident while reaching for something in their car and 23x more likely to crash while texting.

For a safe and healthy 2024, have all of the drivers in your household make the commitment to drive phone-free today:

• Protect lives by never texting or talking on the phone while driving.
• Be a good passenger and speak out if the driver in my car is distracted.
• Encourage friends and family to drive phone-free.

Middle Earth wishes you and your loved ones a healthy, happy, and prosperous new year!