Teen Driving Survey
April 30, 2010 by Andrea Bennett
In a perfect world, the sequence of events immediately following your teen driver’s departure from the house would be something like the following: Teen adjusts seat, mirrors and steering wheel to optimize comfort and control, puts the key in the ignition, starts car, places hands on “10” and “2,” drives at or below the speed limit, plays the radio at a reasonably low volume and arrives, distraction-free, at school. But what many teens are actually doing in the car likely involves the addition of at least one of the following: an iPod, a cell phone, several friends, a detour, or a lead foot.
At least those are some of the findings from a survey conducted by Liberty Mutual and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) in 2009. The survey was completed by 2,351 teens in the 11th and 12th grades from 25 randomly recruited high schools across the country, covering topics such as driving distractions, behaviors, and parental involvement.
About a third of teens responded that they are often passengers in a car where another teen driver is text messaging, changing songs on an iPod, speeding or driving with more than three teen passengers in the car. But the news isn’t all cause for concern. For the most part, teens responded that they rarely, if ever, drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. They’re also fairly outspoken about asking friends not to drive if they are. The majority — 84 percent — reported that they would ask a driver to refrain from driving after drinking alcohol; about three quarters would ask friends who had used marijuana or (recreationally used) prescription drugs not to drive. And in turn, nine out of ten teen drivers said they would likely refrain from most of these behaviors if they were asked to stop by a passenger.
Teens aren’t quite as outspoken about things they don’t consider as distracting as alcohol and drug use. Only about half of teens said they speak up and ask a driver to stop racing other cars, texting or using a cell phone to access the internet while driving; however, only 18 percent of teens are likely to ask a driver to stop talking on a cell phone. About a third of the students regarded activities like updating their Facebook page or text messaging while driving to be distracting, but only 12 percent of those who use cell phones on the road thought it was very distracting.
The survey found strong differences between genders in their attitudes towards driving distractions. Not surprisingly, girls are significantly more likely than boys to consider nearly all identified unsafe behaviors to be distracting, such as: alcohol and drug use, texting, talking on a cell phone, racing other cars, taking pictures with their cell phone, and speeding. Girls are also more likely than their male counterparts to ask a driver to stop engaging in behavior that could distract them.
The good news is that most teens — 87 percent — say their parents have talked to them about driving safety, some as frequently as every day. And for parents who wonder what their real influence is, three out of five teens said that they drive very safely when they’re in the car with a parent, and this drops to one out of four when more than one friend is in the car. Every parent who can remember what it was like to be a teen won’t be surprised that one half of teenage drivers reported ever lying to their parents about obeying driving laws or where they’re going. Parents who are considering adopting a formal driving agreement to structure their conversation about driving safety with their teen may be happy to know that two-thirds of teens who don’t have any formal driving agreements with their parents said they would sign one if asked, and 71 percent of teens in general said they felt that an agreement would increase their parents’ trust in them.
Read tips on co-authoring a driving agreement with your teen here.
Find more survey highlights here.
Find More ///
- in Liberty Mutual, Driving
- in Resources
- about SADD, survey, teenagers, parenting, driving distractions, driving agreement, alcohol, drugs
Related ///
A Champion for Homeless Pets
The founder of The Best Friends Animal Society explains the origins of the “no kill movement” and his continued efforts to help homeless animals.
TED Talk: Elizabeth Gilbert
A funny, moving talk on the mystery of genius from the author of “Eat, Pray, Love."
The Promise of Friendship
Amidst an ever-changing online world, a reflection on the tremendous responsibility that accompanies life-long friendships.
RP Roundtable: College Sports
Is there a lack of responsibility in collegiate athletics? Our panel weighs in.
Europe Deems 2014 the Year Against Food Waste
Should we take waste stats more seriously?
18 Comments
What do you think? Leave a comment
April 30, 2010 by Sandi Yarnall
I would like to see a program designed to use in schools. This is a vocational high school and many of our students travel between 2 schools and some even to a job. They are in their car more than most adults.
Reply
April 30, 2010 by Derek Baird
Hi Sandi,
I was inspired by Oprah and the No Phone Zone pledge and created a lesson plan and quiz that helps teachers teach teens about the dangers of distracted driving. It was chosen by Education World as a featured lesson plan.
I've released it under a Creative Commons license so that it's available for any teacher to use! I've also aligned it to national health and language arts standards.
Here's the link:
'No Phone Zone' Lesson Plan: Teaching Teens the Dangers of Texting & Driving
http://www.debaird.net/blendededunet/2010/03/lesson-plan-no-phone-zone-teaching-teens-the-dangers-of-texting-driving.html
I hope you find this lesson plan useful!
Derek
Reply
April 30, 2010 by Mable Ramey-Moore
I was attempting to hurriedly sign the pledge for "no phone day" before going to work and the actual pledge was not easy to get to or easily visible to get to quickly. So I had to leave without signing the pledge.
Reply
May 9, 2010 by Jeff Allen
Well, as a teen driver, I have roughly three years of experience. My parents have told me about safe driving and I listened but the power of the vehicle overtook me, and I had to learn through experience... A speeding ticket and a fire hydrant later and that set me straight. I will admit to texting and talking on the phone while driving, but when I talk on the phone or text I usually have to have a good reason, mostly when I am lost trying to get somewhere new. I never text while I am driving in town where it is the most busy, I have been on the phone while in town. Also the ipod, that is a must in my truck because I for one cannot stand what is on the radio anymore, but that is a different topic entirely. considering what music I like and how often I listen to it, I have the entire playlist order memorized, and when I pick a playlist I just go with it until it ends.I am not a perfect driver but when it comes down to it, I try and be as careful as I can. This is just one driver's experience out of many.
Reply
October 20, 2010 by eeeeee
texting and driving is stupid
Reply
October 20, 2010 by Ashley
Hi. My name is Ashley and I agree that you shouldn't text while driving. Everytime I see an ambulance or here one tears run down my face. Of all the loses i have heard and know it just kills me. But just e-mail me anytime.
ashley
Reply
October 22, 2010 by Dre
NO texting and driving is awesome.
Reply
August 6, 2011 by Uxvawhmv
Looking for a job lolitas y o boys cwl nude lolita nubile models icojjw image boards lolitas bbs 9647 ukranian lolitas crazy holiday =))) nude lolita art sites :] little loli angel models 978 dark preteen lolita portal 373186 stories of incest lolitas 2213 amateur lolita nude pics %))) preteen lolita nude naked 764 little cuties pre loli 56322 lolita island ls model =] little lolita pictures free 8PPP nude loli models tgp :DDD japan loli masa 11yo bgxg top ten lolita galleries 737947 loli story writing bbs 711 russian oral lolita child 824 nude lolita nude photos 198 nude preteen lolita topsites %-DDD
Reply
August 9, 2011 by Puiaxfne
I'm on holiday Boy Preteen Wank 8-OO Preteen Forced Rape 8-]] Exclusive Preteens Nude zdds Preteen Girl Underground >:DD Preteens Fetish Galleries sjgef Girl Horny Preteen 1377 Preteen Prostitution Russia 561140 Preteen Porn Top 499168 Preteen Bbs Topkds 75859 Free Young Preteens =-] Exclusive Preteens Com 89112 Preteens In Forbidden %) Fatty Nude Preteens 966 Preteen In Tongues :))) Links Preteen Usenet :]] Virgins Litle Preteen 448157 Asian Preteen Bed >:-PPP Nude Preteenz 13 ntz Preteen Fullnude Pics fpmvdt Young Preteens Deflowered =DD
Reply
August 16, 2011 by Exckmizy
Do you know each other? Teen Lolita 601870 Dark Lolita :OO Lolitas Nude cqxce Lolita Girls 42964 Lolita Galleries %-O Lolita Links ktvv Preteen Lolita Models cac Lolita Cp 80613 Lolita Top List :-( Lolita Topsites 8] Great Lolita Bbs 922582 Top 100 Lolita Sites jznu Lolita Gallery 561 Bbs Lolita zirv Lolita Sex Stories fqxbie Lolita Teen mal Index Lolita 060 Best Lolita Sites irkbcq Off Lolita iwnrs Lolitas Toplist 7353
Reply
September 2, 2011 by Mpjxntnf
What are the hours of work? legs teens models qtcg nn lolita bikini models qtmz Innocent Underage Hardcore fsow Gay Cock Model fsb alena pre teen model 131939 preteen nude nipple aroaik Free Lolitas Bbs :-[ Lolita Rape Sex Xxx dchfn teen funs model lhbacu milf hunter amber lynn >:]]] Lolli Wieczorek O Dell 135 zep s lolita forum sqiq Xxx Young Models :-DDD Kds Flymentor 3d dbslf bbs image board loli =-OOO nude art lolita portal 60838 littlest nude pic ivdg Nude Coed Models 6615 Preeten Naked Model ozu lolita teen porn gallery xtj
Reply
October 8, 2011 by Rccitugy
This is your employment contract Underage Nonude Galleries oss Underage Bikini Gallery 004 Underage Model Naked 8-))) Underage Pantyhose Model znvep Underage Teen Feet 991186 Underage Paysites Bbs %-))) Girls Underage Photos >:(( Underage Pussy Spread 334 Underage Russian Thumbs srrwt Dark Underage Porn >:-)))
Reply
October 8, 2011 by Jdsckxmy
I like watching TV bbs land ls 8-OO girlfriend little sister 91277 ranchi bbs archive nvj nude ilegal bbs =-OOO young teenager nude dka child craft %-PPP russian babysitter rape rlnqnu saggy breasts bbs %[[[ youngest teen prn lyou little tykes slide 0842
Reply
October 8, 2011 by Sbxcmaay
I'm interested in Top Kds Bbs >:-P Underage Teens Fucking %(( Hijoy Bbs 220 Bbs Wheels %))) Underage Nn Models 9508 Boy Lolitia Bbs dth Free Underage Porn Pic hxydb Bbs Fuck xrp Underage Slut :P Bbs Lolitas :-PPP
Reply
1 2 »
Tell us what you think.
Let the world know what you think, but please do so responsibly. Comments are moderated and we will not post personal attacks, obscene language or inappropriate material, comments with links, or comments from people under the age of 18. If you have a question, check out our Comment Submission Guidelines.