We've all been there—after a long day at work, you’re driving your normal route home. Next you hear that familiar beep of your cell phone notifying you of a new text message. What's the harm in checking? You're going the speed limit and traffic isn't bad. It only takes a few seconds, but the professional driving instructors at Sure-Drive Driver's Training Inc. in Ft. Mitchell, KY, want you to know that just five seconds of distracted driving could lead to serious consequences.

According to study completed by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI), five seconds can translate into long distances depending how fast you're driving. If a person driving a truck at 55 mph looks away from the road for approximately 5 seconds, that "is equivalent to the truck traveling, essentially “blind,” the length of a football field." It's not hard to imagine what could happen in that span of time.

Teens are at an especially high risk for driving while distracted. According to Distraction.gov, "10% of drivers of all ages under the age of 20 involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crash." The site goes on to say that this age group has the largest percentage of distracted drivers.

What is distracted driving? Distracted driving encompasses any activity that "takes your eyes off the road, your hands off the wheel, and your mind off your primary task: driving safely." This can included non-phone-related behaviors including eating, switching radio stations, or using a GPS system. Talking on the phone also dangerously distracts drivers by diverting auditory and visual attention, even if you're using a hands-free set.

So, what can parents do to discourage teenagers from driving and texting? Education is key. Understanding the dangers of distracted teen driving is crucial to keep the roads safe. Driving lessons are also a great way to reinforce what you've already taught your child, while giving them valuable safe practice time with a professional driving instructor, like those at Sure-Drive Driver's Training Inc. Visit them online to learn more and call (859) 331-0007 to enroll your teenage driver today.