The most common reasons those surveyed said they would hesitate to ask a driver to stop texting included not believing it was their place to tell the driver what to do, not wanting to start an argument and being too uncomfortable to say something. Twenty-one percent said they often don't say anything to texting drivers because they are guilty of the behavior themselves. Along with the survey report, Erie shared four different strategies, courtesy of Dr. Stanislaw Kolek, visiting assistant professor at Allegheny College, that could assist those who are afraid to stand up to a texting driver. These strategies are:

Negotiation: "If you are in a car and the driver starts texting, you could say, 'It looks like you really need to be texting someone right now so why don't you let me drive? I can drive and you can text, and once we get to our destination, you can get back into the driver's seat,'" Kolek suggested. "It's a way to get them to realize that the behavior is not wanted and that you've already come up with a solution. Asking them if you can be the driver in that situation is usually a very non-antagonistic way of getting yourself out of a dangerous situation."
Positive reinforcement: This approach involves informing the driver of ways in which putting down their phone will benefit them; whether that be reminding them of safety concerns or catering to their desire to save money by encouraging them to engage in telematics programs and apps that reward them for driving without distractions.
Partnership and mutual accountability: The buddy system isn't just for school field trips; it can be a useful tool in encouraging safer driving behavior from your loved ones. Offering to hold each other accountable for dropping the texting-while-driving habit can be a way to approach the situation in a less-confrontational way.
Negative consequences: If none of the more positive tactics succeed in getting a driver to stop texting, presenting negative consequences may be the best way to make a point and ensure your safety. "You can say, 'You're the driver and I am your passenger and we're a team right now. I really don't want to be in the car with you while you are texting.' That would probably be effective if the person is reasonable and wants you to continue riding with them," said Kolek.

Related:

Special Reports /

Speaking up to stop texting and driving

Related Stories

Recommended For You