As a passenger, you may feel your role is simple – keep flipping stations to avoid commercials, talk about your day, and help the driver follow GPS directions. While these are some of the safer characteristics of a passenger, behaviors as such can turn into a big distraction to the driver.
Imagine the driver being the superhero and the passenger being the sidekick; the duties that come with those roles are well known thanks to DC Comics™ and Marvel®. A driver holds the passenger(s) safety in their hands, while the sidekick assists the superhero with bringing safety to all.
As a passenger it is good to help with the radio, talk about your day and assist with the crazy directions, but make sure to do all of this with caution. There are five main risks the sidekick must help the superhero with when driving; keep the driver alert, distraction free, obeying speed limits, buckled correctly with their safety belt and driving sober.
Teens in the Driver Seat wants to be the first to equip you with the knowledge and stamina to be a safe teen passenger. Here are some do’s and don’ts as sidekick:
- Don’t ask the driver to take their eyes off of the road to look at a phone or you.
- Don’t allow the driver to pick up their phone – read and reply to texts for them
- Don’t let the driver eat while driving! That food will taste so much better at a table with good conversation.
- If the vehicle is capable, sync the superhero’s phone to the car’s Bluetooth system.
- If the superhero is driving at night, make sure he/she stays awake and alert to other vehicles, road signs and the vehicles speed limit.
- Don’t let the superhero drive under the influence – call a sober adult or a cab.
- Remind everyone to buckle up!
Remember, your role as a passenger is much more than flipping stations, it is a team effort to keep everyone in the vehicle safe.
Watch this funny video as The Try Guys try distracted driving.
