M2.) Say no to Distracted Driving

Driving while you are distracted is one of the most dangerous things that you can do.  In 2010 alone, over 3,000 people were killed in the United States due to driving while distracted.  This doesn't even take into account the countless number of life-altering injuries sustained in accidents caused by distracted driving.  Even though driving while distracted is very dangerous, it is very preventable.  Don't put yourself in a position where you could be distracted behind the wheel.  You could be putting yourself in danger, not to mention the people around you.  The first way to stay alert and focused while driving is by putting your cell phone away.  You can go the length of a car ride without sending a text message out to your friend or placing a call.  Studies have shown that one in four teenagers admit to texting while driving, and about forty percent of teenagers have reported to being in a car while the driver has been using their cell phones.  Texting while driving is never excusable.  In order to send a text message, you have to take your eyes off of the road.  To text, you use at least one of your hands, which in turn, makes it more difficult to control the car.  If you get into a situation while driving and only have one of your hands free, it will be much more difficult to avoid a collision or keep control of the car.  In 2007, the University of Clemson did a study about texting while driving.  Their results showed that text messaging while driving increased a person's likelihood to swerve into another lane of traffic by ten percent.  Studies show that teens are more likely to participate in these risky driving habits as well.  Teenagers must start realizing the dangers that they put themselves in while driving and must take the necessary precautions to protect themselves as well as others on the road.