TEXT Wars: Teaching the Dangers of Texting and Driving by Playing a Simple Game

We have five sons. Five.

We are currently teaching son #2 to drive. Phew!

If you want to know the condition of your heart, teach a teen to drive.

Teens Know Everything.

They know how to eat, sleep, hang out with friends, do their work, drive and live like they are invincible.

Every teen I have ever known has had at least a mild case of “that can’t happen to me”. When I was a teen I had a terrible case. My favorite thing to do was to walk right out into the street without looking. I used to say, “The driver has to stop for pedestrians.”

Yes, I was that stupid. Not sure how I survived.

Today, teens have a bigger temptation to dangle in front of certain and sudden death: texting and driving.

The statistics for texting and driving, or distracted driving in general, are scary.

So how do you teach the dangers of texting and driving to a teen?

By being sneaky.

I created a Game to Trap Teach Teens About Texting and Driving. 

Here’s the insider’s scoop.

Step One:
Challenge them into a “I can text faster than you.”
Their own ego traps them in this stage of the game. It’s beautiful.

Step Two:

Reward their accomplishment of beating you with a small treat.

Step Three:
Take their text times and “translate them” into driving distances.
(don’t worry, The sheet and directions are in the game)

Step Four:
Take it outside and use dice and hazard cards to give them a proper wake-up call!

Step Five:
Agree to NEVER use a cell phone while driving. All drivers sign a contract.

I am terrified that one or all of our boys will be tempted to text and drive or even to simply glance at their phone. The next time you are driving around town simply glance at all the drivers that pass by. Chances are, at least one will be looking at their phone.

So, I created a Game.

For Parents, Grandparents, Teachers, Librarians, Sunday School Teachers, Soccer Coaches, Driver’s Ed Instructors, Neighbors and Friends to play with Young Drivers…

Please download your copy and play the game today.
My prayer is that it will save lives…