Impaired driving can include alcohol, illicit drugs, prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs.

1. Create a safe environment to speak openly about impaired driving.
2. Promise each other to always call for and provide help in an unsafe situation.
3. Establish a safe word to text when a ride is needed.
4. Instead of intense punishments, discuss how to avoid unsafe situations in the future and plan strategies to make this happen.
5. Discuss and sign the Parent Teen Driving Agreement.

To learn more about impaired driving click here.

Worried about your teen texting and driving or riding with distracted teen drivers? Research shows you should be. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, more than half of teen drivers reported using a cell phone while driving. More than 1 in 4 reported typing or sending a text message while driving in the past 30 days.

1. The 3 Types of Driver Distraction
   • Visual – Anything that takes your eyes off the road
   • Manual – Anything that takes your hands off the wheel
   • Cognitive – Anything that takes your mind off your driving
2. Distractions can happen inside and outside of the vehicle. It is important to eliminate as many as possible and be aware of those you cannot.
   • Examples of distractions inside the vehicle: passengers, cell phone, radio, food/drink
   • Examples of distractions outside the vehicle: weather, wildlife, other drivers, billboards, emergency vehicles
3. Learn more about distracted driving and take the pledge to not drive “intexticated”.

To view the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety’s research on measuring cognitive distraction while driving, click here.

1. Never engage in aggressive driving.
2. Keep a safe following distance.
3. Continually scan while driving.
4. Be alert to drivers who may be distracted or impaired.

To learn more about aggressive driving, click here.