Editorial: Message helps keep teen drivers safe

Talk about it

It’s not easy being a new driver these days. It’s always been difficult to get comfortable behind the wheel while learning the rules of the road, but between cell phones and text messages, Facebook and Twitter the modern world presents more potential distractions than ever before. When you’re still getting comfortable with the responsibilities and challenges of driving, those distractions can be dangerous.

That was the point of a teen driving summit held last week. It’s not drinking and driving most teen drivers need to worry about, it’s the desire to stay in constant contact with friends.

Last week’s summit drove that message home with simulations meant to give teens an idea what really happens when they try to text or talk while they’re driving, with video messages put together by their peers and with a testimonial from a father who lost his daughter to a distracted-driving accident.

All it takes is a glance away from the road at the wrong time to turn a good day very, very bad.

Last week’s summit, put on by a group that includes Dakota County, tried to spread that message by reaching out to the police liaison workers stationed in schools, to school counselors and to the students themselves. Students in SADD and other school groups attended last week’s summit and most seemed to come away with the right message. They took those messages with them to share with their peers.

Teens aren’t alone in giving in to the growing number of distractions on the road. But those distractions can be particularly difficult when paired with a lack of experience behind the wheel.

It’s good to take the opportunity to get that message across.

Tags: opinion, editorials, farmington