Distracted Driving Safety Tips for Teens in Arizona

Distracted driving laws in Arizona ban all cell phone use for drivers, unless it is hands-free. This means that neither texting and driving, nor hand-held cell phone use is permitted while operating a vehicle. The law applies to drivers of all ages, but it was originally passed for novice drivers, as they are the least experienced on the road and the most vulnerable to accidents.

Even with this law in place, we live in a world of distractions – of planning what should I do next, instead of focusing on the task at hand. Adults and teenagers alike grow distracted by their cell phone ringtones or simply, their busy minds and endless to-do-lists.

Defining Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is any activity that takes your attention away from the act of driving. It typically fits into one or all of these categories:

Visual: taking your eyes of the road
Manual: taking your hands off the road
Cognitive: taking your mind off driving

Common Distractions for Teens

The most common distractions on the road for teenagers include:

Interacting with one or more passengers
Cell phone use
Looking at something inside the vehicle and/or reaching for it

Distracted driving is a real concern for everyone, but especially for teenagers. From 2018 to 2019, distracted driving increased by almost 10 percent. It took the lives of 3,142 people. Whether you are a worried parent, or a self-aware teenage driver, there are steps you can take or that you can encourage your teenager to take to minimize distractions while driving and increase overall safety on the road. Start now.

1. Slow Down Your Thoughts Before Driving

Whether or not you are going to drive with a distracted mind, in part, depends on what you are doing before you get in the car. Before every drive, set the intention and make the decision to drive distraction free, and help yourself stay true to this. Ask yourself what you can to quiet your mind before driving. Some ideas:

Leave 15 minutes earlier than you need to. Leaving early can be so therapeutic. It is easier to relax our minds when we aren’t stressing over the time and that which is out of our control.
Have a playlist or podcast ready to go before your drive – one that calms your mind in busy traffic without taking your mind off driving.
Do something that calms you before driving. This doesn’t have to be for a long time. It could be a five minute guided meditation, or practicing a couple of stretches that feel good. It could be making yourself coffee and reading something you love for ten minutes.

2. Remove Distractions from Sight

Making a decision isn’t about selecting something as much as it is about cutting out the other options. If you know you are going to get distracted by specific items, move them so they are out of your reach. Out of sight, out of mind? It’s worth a try.

This applies to cell phones. Before stepping into the car, turn your cell phone on “do not disturb while driving” mode, or if that isn’t available to you, turn it on airplane mode. If you know that your cell phone buzz is going to get a reaction out of you, turn the sound off.
Set aside what you are going to need during your drive. If you are going to need something during your drive, have it ready, so you aren’t shuffling through your bag while driving.
As a novice, avoid driving with peer passengers. Of course, we love having our friends in our car, but driving with a peer passenger, as opposed to driving alone, increases the risk of crashing. Meet your friend at the destination; drive safer by driving separately.

3. Plan for Road Anxiety and Come Prepared

Plan for your anxiety by taking the time to address it. There is no reason to get overwhelmed, just reason to prepare.

Map out your route and have a clear idea of where you are going before you get on the road.
Eat a quick snack before your drive. Traffic can double the time it takes us to get from one destination to the next. If you tend to get hungry while driving, leave some time to eat before getting in the car, so you aren’t planning what to eat the entire drive.
Pack your bag ahead of time – preferably the night before. The worst feeling is when we are in a rush and forget something important at home. Anxious thoughts will surely occupy our minds. If we pack ahead of time, we can have peace of mind; everything we need is already with us.