Distraction Free Friday: Teens can make a difference

In your teenage years, it is all about peer pressure to do the wrong thing. Well, the Distraction Free Fridays campaign aims to use peer influence to do the right thing. You can impact your peers in a positive way – it just takes commitment to set a good example. Too many young people are dying each year due to texting and driving. In 2011, more than 3,300 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver – with another 300,000 injured. According to the Detroit News, the National Highway Safety Transportation Administration (NHTSA) reports that deaths due to distracted driving are on the rise. As a community, we must come together to make a cultural shift. In the 1970s, it wasn’t a big deal to get in the car after drinking too much. In the 1980s, drivers weren’t buckling regularly. Perceptions have since changed, and those behaviors are both passé today. Will YOU help change the perception of what’s ‘cool’ and ‘uncool’ among your friends? You CAN make a difference! Here are a few ways you can help. Share these simple messages with your friends online and encourage them to share with their networks. Little by little, you can make a difference. Post this message to Facebook:

Did you know that 40% of American teens say they’ve been in a car when the driver used their mobile device in a way that put people in danger? Distracted driving is claiming the lives of too many people my age. That’s why I’m committing to put the device aside and focus on the drive. Share this with your friends to take the pledge and show your support.

Tweet this message to your Twitter friends:

Too many teens my age are dying from #distracteddriving. RT to pledge with me to put the device aside and focus on the drive.

What are some other ways that you can positively influence your peers, family and friends? Related articles: ‘It Can Wait’ campaign asks you to ditch the distractions Distraction Free Friday: Teens, Take the Pledge! via CBS Charlotte Distraction Free Friday: What’s distracted driving to you?