Study Shows Teens Pick Up Bad Driving Habits from Parents

Columbus, MS, September 29, 2012 --(PR.com)-- According to the results of a recent survey, a larger percentage of adults participate in distracted driving and their teenagers mimic those actions.

A study recently conducted by Liberty Mutual and Students Against Destructive Driving (SADD) found that not only do an alarming number of parents have dangerous driving practices but it is highly likely that their teenage drivers will repeat those behaviors.

1,700 teens across the country were surveyed about dangerous driving behaviors among parents while their teen is in the car. Behaviors ranged from texting or to being under the influence of alcohol. More concerning is that the surveyed teens also repeat their parents’ poor driving habits in nearly equal amounts.

According to the release, “The survey found teens observe their parents exhibiting the following behavior at least occasionally: 91 percent talk on a cell phone while driving, 88 percent speed and, 59 percent text message while driving. …Nearly half (47 percent) of parents have driven at least occasionally without a seatbelt, 20 percent under the influence of alcohol, and seven percent under the influence of marijuana.”

Two-thirds (66 percent) of the teens also reported their parents “live by different rules than they ones they expect of their teens,” meaning the parents do not practice what they preach.

Additionally, the study found similar figures when asked about the teens’ driving behaviors. “90 percent of teens report talking on a cell phone while driving and 94 percent of teens speed (at least occasionally), with nearly half (47 percent) of teens speeding often or very often. Nearly 80 percent of teens report sending text messages while driving, 16 percent have driven after using marijuana, 15 percent have driven under the influence of alcohol and 33 percent report driving without a seatbelt,” according to the results

“The best teacher for a teen driver is a good parental role model,” said Stephen Wallace, senior advisor for policy, research and education at SADD. “Parents and teens should have an active and ongoing dialogue about safe driving behavior and take the conversation one step further by signing a Parent/Teen Contract. But parents have to demonstrate good driving behavior from the onset so new drivers understand that safe driving rules apply to everyone equally.”

Carl Hogan Automotive reminds parents that refraining from driving distracted is essential to the safety and behavior of today’s youth.