Calls for Parents and Educations to Play a Bigger Role

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Distracted driving is dangerous and potentially deadly, and texting while driving increases the risk of collision by as much as 23 times.  Common Sense Media supports proposed federal and state action to ban texting while driving, said Jim Steyer, CEO and Founder of Common Sense Media.

But a law is not enough.   There needs to be a coordinated strategy to educate drivers – especially new drivers – about the dangers of texting while driving.  This starts with parents, who should be teaching kids to be responsible with mobile phones from an early age – long before they are driving.  Finally, we all need to take a look at our own behavior – are we modeling this for our kids?

This is a place where parents and schools can play a huge part. Our Common Sense Schools program helps parents and teachers navigate the 24/7 media world and gives tools on how to manage media in their lives.  We’ve already incorporated messages about texting and driving into that program.

There is a role in this for everybody. We urge parents, teachers, kids, policy makers and media industry leaders to work together to help everyone be more safe and responsible on the road.

For more on Common Sense Schools, visit www.commonsensemedia.org/schools.

About Common Sense Media
Common Sense Media is the nation's leading nonpartisan organization dedicated to improving the impact of media and entertainment on kids and families. Common Sense Media provides trustworthy ratings and reviews of media and entertainment based on child development criteria created by leading national experts. For more information, visit www.commonsensemedia.org.

Press Contact:
Marisa Connolly
Communications Manager, Common Sense Media
415-553-6703 (direct)
617-699-4235 (cell)
mconnolly@commonsensemedia.org