'Glee' Takes Distracted Driving Warning To Teens

Online, April 12, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Teens comprise the demographic group most at risk of the dangers from distracted driving. Because just about every teenager has a cell phone, and just about every teenager uses texting as their primary means of communication, coupled with the fact many teenagers are new drivers, they are most likely to have a vehicle crash caused by distracted driving.

The hit Fox show 'Glee' has an audience composed mostly of teenagers and they are using their platform to send a message: Distracted driving is dangerous, so don't do it.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month. This coincides with the season premiere of 'Glee' which will be picking up its story line from last season which ended on a cliffhanger that had distracted driving at the crux of the plot: Lead character and admitted drama queen Quinn Fabray (Dianna Agron) was in a hurry, driving to get to her ex-boyfriend's wedding. She was also texting and driving. Suddenly her vehicle is sideswiped by a truck and the screen faded to black, leaving viewers to ponder her fate. It was also a great opportunity for parents to start a dialogue focusing on the dangers of letting anything interfere with a young drivers concentration on the skill of driving.

Distracted driving is not limited to texting and driving. A car load of friends is also a serious distraction for young drivers (or any drivers) as is adjusting the radio buttons, checking your hair in the mirror, or doing anything which takes your eyes off the road. It only takes a split second for something drastic to happen: a child runs into the road ahead of you or the vehicle in front of you stops suddenly. Road conditions can change at a moment's notice and you need to be ready for the unexpected to happen just when you least expect it to.

Hopefully teens will get the message and learn the lessons we are all trying to teach them about the dangers of distracted driving.