You may be tired of “99 bottles of beer on the wall,” but cracking open a cold one isn’t an option to keep your eyes on the road. Despite your best efforts, you can’t keep Dad’s attention on your dreaded trip to whoever-knows-where. Though public awareness campaigns, strict legislation, and your constant nagging has inspired him to pop on his seatbelt in case of a collision, he still can’t resist the temptation to change the song he’s heard five times in the past hour on his handy smart device. As our world becomes more entrenched in technology, more safeguards must be put in place to prevent reckless behaviors that put lives at risk while on the road.

Though all individuals are susceptible to the dangers of distracted driving, teenagers appear to fall victim most often. Teens exhibit the most frequent use of electronic devices while on the road due to their increased likelihood to partake in risky behavior coupled with poor knowledge of car safety protocol. Because apps continue to entice the younger generation, the increased use of technology while in transit has resulted in fatal consequences. When any driver (regardless of age) takes their eyes off the road, other drivers or pedestrians risk an accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 391,000 people were injured by distracted driving in 2015 and 3,450 people were killed by distracted driving in 2016. In the age of constant approval and attention, it seems that we care about our image more than our safety. The rules of the road have become another terms and conditions page that we gloss over at best.

Fun fact: you can’t post a picture of what you’re planning on wearing tomorrow if you’re forced into a hospital gown for the next month!

To combat the culture of consumption, we must nip distracted driving in the bud by planning before traveling. Whether it be to work or across the country, creating a plan to address commute concerns will severely reduce the dangers associated with distracted driving. When driving solo, removing your phone from the picture completely may be the best method to curb distractions. Various apps freeze your phone while in transit. These programs vary in their efficacy and largely rely on the user to initiate the process: because phones may only track car movement should sensors be installed, this may not be the most reliable prevention method among all drivers. Training to quit the habit while driving will likely require weeks of acclimation but may prove useful once drivers become accustomed to routine usage.

Good habits aren’t exclusively technology related. Drivers can be distracted by their physical state as well as their accessories. For instance, studies in 2014 found that drivers indulging in a treat are 3.6 times more likely to be involved in an accident. Instead of going through a drive-through to save time, stopping for a snack allows drivers a moment to take their mind off the road while re-energizing. Spending time on some food and drink also affords the driver some phone time to catch up on any important messages that may have slipped through while on the road. A short stop for rest may even be an ideal time for a nap should the driver feel tired. Reports in 2015 highlight how 5,000 people died in 2015 as a result of drowsy driving. Make sure your sweet dreams don’t become beautiful nightmares by taking a moment for yourself during longer excursions.

When possible, drivers should opt to travel with others. Carpooling offers various alternatives to cold-turkey distraction prevention methods. Driving with others minimizes your carbon footprint while providing passengers to hold the driver accountable.  Passenger vigilance reinforces the choices of the driver and pressures them to focus on the road; however, passengers must be aware of their influence on the person behind the wheel. As 1 in 7 accidents or near misses are attributed to anger and anxiety associated with backseat driving, passengers should choose their words carefully when interacting with drivers. Passengers should be supportive of their drivers and should encourage them to keep their eyes on the road in a respectful manner. Polite banter may facilitate interactions that lessen tensions and ultimately increase driver awareness.

So long as your ride isn’t your first date, you should be able to think of something interesting to talk about to lighten the mood.

However, should the passenger become a nuisance, this could only contribute to distracted driving. Excessive chatter, though a form of stress relief while driving, may cause drivers to lose attention. According to the American Council on Science and Health, cell phone banter as well as conversations with passengers play prominent roles in degrading driver awareness. Should you notice your conversation going south, the radio may be the best option for the rest of the cruise. Let the audio guide you to your destination! If the conversation dies down due to droopy eyes, suggesting another person take the wheel may also minimize accident risk.

So, what can Dad learn to beat the tricks of the distracted driving trade? He might want to ask the youngins for the password to his phone. Installing some apps to reduce his tinkering on music- and text-related apps during our hypothetical trip to safety would emphasize a commitment to focused driving. Should he be concerned about putting the phone down, he can make a playlist and respond to any messages before getting behind the wheel. Eliminating any need for a phone during the trip will only promote a safer driving experience.

Since he already has the pleasure of driving with the whole family, Dad will have more than enough eyes on him mid-ride. Knowing that families can get at each other’s throats, chatting should be kept to a minimum unless a prime topic comes to mind. Interjecting occasionally to address any problematic behaviors should keep his eyes on the road until he decides he needs a break. Instead of trying to maximize our mileage, we should stop for a bite to eat along the way to reorient ourselves. Having someone switch in on the second half of the trip may be smart to ensure he’s not completely worn out by the time we reach our destination. Though I’m not the biggest fan of driving, I’d rather be behind the wheel than face-to-face with a concrete wall.

Though my family can employ a plan to protect ourselves on the road, it’s just as important that fellow drivers pledge the same before they begin their trips. We often find ourselves at intersections with other drivers who may be distracted on their way to point B; the rules of the road rely on all actors to follow their regulations to ensure everyone’s safety. Focused drivers can predict others’ behavior, but accident prevention includes every vehicle in transit. Since “click it or ticket” has worked so well, perhaps “phone in one hand, ticket in the other” will serve the same purpose. With stricter laws targeting distracted driving such as phone use, the roads have the possibility of becoming an accident-free method of transportation.

On that note, I’m partial to “lock your phone or get locked up.” Buzz words for millennials, people!