We all know texting and driving is dangerous but that’s not the full story. Your phone can pull your attention away from the road in dozens of ways, many you might not even think twice about. And for new drivers, those “just one second” distractions can lead to life-changing consequences.

The truth is simple: if your hands are on your phone, they’re not on the wheel- and if your mind is on your screen, it’s not on the road.

 

🚗 Phones Are Behind Thousands of Crashes Every Year

Using a phone while driving is one of the most common, and deadly,  distractions. In 2023, 3,275 people died in crashes involving distracted drivers, and cell phone use was a major factor (NHTSA). Among teen drivers, the risk is even higher: they’re more likely to use their phones and more likely to crash because of it (CDC).

And it’s not just about sending a text. Apps, notifications, calls, videos, music demands your attention. And every second your focus is split, the risk skyrockets.

 

📲 Distractions Beyond Texting

Your phone has endless ways of stealing your attention. Here are some of the most common ones teens deal with behind the wheel:

• 📸 Snapchat or Instagram: Snapping a quick photo or scrolling through stories is enough to take your eyes off the road.
• 📞 Facetime or calls: Even hands-free calls distract your mind from driving.
• 🎶 Spotify and music apps: Skipping songs, making playlists, or changing volume takes your hands and attention off the wheel.
• 🍔 Food delivery apps: Checking ETA or placing an order might seem harmless, but it’s dangerous while driving.
• 📍 Navigation apps: Even glancing at your map too often is a risk if it pulls your eyes off the road.

Many of these are triple-threat distractions — they pull your eyes, hands, and mind away from driving at the same time.

 

🧠 Why “Just a Second” Is More Dangerous Than You Think

It’s easy to think, “I’ll just check it real quick.” But even a two-second glance away from the road doubles your crash risk (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety).

At 55 mph, a five-second text means you’re driving the length of a football field without looking. And even if you’re going slower, your reaction time plummets leaving you with no chance to avoid a sudden stop, pedestrian, or another car.

 

📉 Teens and Phones: A Risky Mix

Teens are especially vulnerable to phone-related distractions for a few key reasons:

• Social pressure: Notifications feel urgent, even when they’re not.
• FOMO (fear of missing out): It’s hard to ignore messages from friends or social media.
• Overconfidence: Many teens believe they can multitask behind the wheel but the science says otherwise.
• New driver status: Without years of experience, it’s harder to react to the unexpected if your focus is split.

That’s why learning to separate your phone from your driving time is one of the most important habits you can build as a new driver.

 

🚦 How to Break the Habit

The best way to stop phone distractions is to make it harder for them to happen in the first place. Here are simple, effective ways to stay focused:

• 📵 Use “Do Not Disturb While Driving” mode. Most phones have built-in settings that silence notifications when you’re behind the wheel.
• 📍 Set everything before you go. Map your route, start your playlist, and send your texts before you shift into drive.
• 📦 Put your phone out of reach. Glove box, back seat, anywhere you can’t grab it without effort.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Ask a passenger for help. Let them handle navigation, music, or messages so you can focus.
• 🧘‍♂️ Create a habit. Make “phone away before keys in” your new normal.

Small changes like these can drastically cut your risk and they’re worth it every single time.

 

📍 Final Thoughts

Texting isn’t the only distraction on your phone, it’s just the most obvious one. Any time your screen pulls your attention away from the road, you’re putting yourself and everyone around you at risk.

Make the choice to drive distraction-free every time you get behind the wheel. It’s one of the simplest ways to protect yourself, your passengers, and your future.

For more safe driving tips, tools, and teen-specific resources, check out flteensafedriver.org — your go-to hub for building safer driving habits.