Nearly Nine of 10 Teens Drive Distracted, Says AAA

Phoenix, Ariz., Aug. 2, 2010. Think your teen is a safe driver? Think again. AAA and Seventeen magazine recently set out to discover what risky behaviors teen drivers were engaging in while behind the wheel. According to the study, most teens understand distracted driving is unsafe, yet most of them do it anyway.

As a result of a lack of experience and likelihood to engage in risky behaviors, such as distracted driving, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens, claiming more lives each year than drugs, alcohol, suicide and violence combined. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, nearly 6,000 people died and more than a half million were injured in crashes involving a distracted driver in 2008. Taking your eyes off of the road for two seconds doubles your risk of getting into a crash, according to AAA.

“Distracted driving is one the biggest dangers on our roads today,” said Linda Gorman, communications and public affairs director for AAA Arizona. “While, it’s good to see that teens are able to identify unsafe driving behaviors, it’s alarming to know that nearly nine in 10 teens engage in these bad habits, putting everyone on the road at risk.”

According to the study, 84 percent of teens admit that distracted driving is dangerous. However, 86 percent of teens admit to engaging in one of the following distractions behind the wheel:

• 73 percent have adjusted their radio/CD/MP3 player.
  
• 61 percent have eaten food.
• 60 percent have talked on a cell phone.
  
• 28 percent have sent a text message, sending an average of 23 text messages while driving during the past month.

The study also found that even as passengers, teens worry about distracted driving. Of those polled, 38 percent said they have been afraid they were going to get hurt because they were the passenger of a distracted driver. In addition, 36 percent believe they have been involved in a near-crash because of their own or someone else’s distracted driving.

“It’s imperative that teen drivers – like all drivers – remain focused behind the wheel at all times,” added Gorman. “We urge parents to join us in facing the distracted driving head-on by getting involved and staying involved during their teen’s learning to drive process.”  

AAA recommends that parents discuss the following with teen drivers:

• Distractions. Statistics show that passengers dramatically increase a teen’s chance of crashing. Limit the number of passengers allowed to ride in your teen’s vehicle to no more than one to reduce this risk. Also be sure to discuss other distractions including cell phone usage, music and food.
  
  
• Texting. Sending or reading a text message requires a driver to take their eyes off the road, hands off the wheel, and mind off the task at hand, making this distraction the most dangerous on the road. Ensure your teen understands the danger associated with this behavior and refrains from engaging in it.
  
  
• Drugs and alcohol. Make an agreement with your teen that they will not drive or ride with anyone under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  
  
• Buckle up. Make sure your teen knows the importance of wearing their seat belt every time they get into a vehicle, even if only driving or riding a short distance.
  
  
• Be there. Make sure your teen knows that if they need help, advice or a ride, they can call at any time. Extend this offer often so they’re reminded that it is always available, and let them know that they will not be judged or punished should they need help.
  
  
• Put it in writing. Consider implementing contracts as a way to open the lines of communication with your teen. Contracts can be used establish rules, consequences and help ward off peer pressure.
  
  
• Consider supplemental tools and training. At-home programs,  driver training and other free resources can help teens attain critical thinking and decision making skills that are imperative to driving. teenSMART, for example, is scientifically proven to improve skill and reduce crash risk, while helping earn an insurance discount upon completion.
  
  
• Lead by example. Be a positive role model by exhibiting good driving skills and behavior such as obeying speed limits, being courteous to other drivers, and avoiding engagement in distractions.

Parents of pre- or newly licensed drivers can attend AAA Arizona’s award winning Dare to Prepare workshop with their teen. The workshop provides families with useful tools and resources to aid the learning-to-drive process.

The AAA/Seventeen magazine survey took place in May, polling 2,000 male and female teen drivers ages 16 to 19. Complete results will be featured in the September issue of the publication.

AAA Arizona, the Arizona affiliate of AAA, provides automotive, insurance and auto travel services to more than 800,000 Arizona members.  Annually, AAA’s Emergency Road Service responds to more than 450,000 calls for help on the streets and highways of the state as well as providing insurance, travel, and financial services to AAA members and motorists.  Since its founding in 1927, AAA Arizona has been a leading advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.  In 2008, AAA was ranked the No. 1 “socially responsible” brand by Landor’s BrandAsset® Valuator.