One More Reason To Discuss Distracted Driving With Your Teen

Last month, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and Students Against Destructive Decisions released the results of their survey on the driving habits of 2,294 teenagers from high schools across the United States. 
 
Eleven percent of the teens surveyed had been in an actual accident in the past year, but 68 percent had near accidents during the same period; 56 percent had more than one near-miss. The surprising fact: all the near-accidents occurred when the driver was distracted. 

• 86% were distracted by talking
  
• 61% changed songs on portable music players
• 47% had three or more passengers in their vehicle
• 46% engaged in speeding
• 36% talked on cell phones
• 36% sent text messages

 
Even teens who did not have an accident or near accident reported engaging in distracted driving behaviors.

• 50% changed songs on portable music players
• 33% had three or more passengers in their vehicle
• 30% engaged in speeding
• 22% talked on cell phones
• 19% sent text messages

Despite these self-admitted behaviors, 92 percent of the teens surveyed believe they are safe drivers.
 
Car accidents are the leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 16 and 20. The West Palm Beach auto accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Craig Goldenfarb urge you to discuss distracted driving with your teen.  
 
For more information about teen driving, see our library articles: "Teenagers and West Palm Beach Car Accidents, Part 1: Is Your Teen At Risk?" and "Teenagers and West Palm Beach Car Accidents, Part 2: Preventing Teen Driving Accidents."