|
Tuesday, 10 July, 2007 12:27 PM
AAA: Survey Shows Teens' Driving
Habits include Text Messaging Behind the Wheel
AAA,
Seventeen magazine survey reveals speeding, phone calls common
AURORA, Ill.,
-- An alarmingly high number of teen
drivers are engaging in some very risky behavior while they are
driving
including sending and reading text messages, according to new survey
research by AAA and Seventeen magazine.
The survey, featured
in Seventeen magazine's August issue, on
newsstands today, shows that 61 percent of teens admit to risky
driving
habits. Of that 61 percent, 46 percent say that they text message
when
driving and 51 percent talk on cell phones while driving. The research,
conducted in April, was a survey of more than 1,000 16- and 17-year-old
drivers.
"Motor vehicle crashes
are the number one killer of teens claiming more
than 6,000 15- to 20-year-olds each year," said Beth Mosher,
director of
public affairs for AAA Chicago. "Inexperience behind the wheel
coupled with
poor decision-making ability make it even more important for teens
to stay
focused when driving. Their attention should not be divided among
phones,
friends and the road."
Other teens in the vehicle
can be a major distraction for teen drivers,
and driver distraction is a factor in 25-50 percent of all crashes.
Yet, 58
percent of teen respondents said that they drive with their friends
in the
car.
The research also reveals
that 40 percent of teens exceed the speed
limit by 10 miles per hour or more while driving, and 11 percent
of teens
admit to drinking or using other drugs before getting behind the
wheel.
"Teens love to text,
talk on their cell phones and hang out with their
friends," said Seventeen Editor-in-Chief Ann Shoket. "But
when you mix
those social activities with young, inexperienced drivers, the results
are
dangerous and in many cases fatal. As the country's largest teen
magazine,
we want to educate teens about reckless behavior behind the wheel
and help
them understand the scary consequences."
"Novice young drivers
need experience to gain the proficiency that will
help to keep them safe on the road," said Mosher. "It's
critical for teens
to drive in the safest environment for at least the first six months
of
unsupervised driving."
Making the driving experience
safer for teens would include ensuring
that they drive during daylight hours, on familiar roads and without
teen
passengers. Parents can be positive role models by exhibiting good
driving
skills and behavior such as obeying speed limits, being courteous
to other
drivers, and avoiding the use of electronic devices while driving.
Parents should also discuss
teen car crashes and how to prevent them,
according to AAA. Conversations with teens can begin with topics
that
parents are already familiar with, such as the importance of wearing
a seat
belt, and move into the hazards of driving at night, while on a
cell phone,
or with teen passengers. Entering into a parent-teen driving agreement
can
be a helpful way to start the dialogue.
For more information
on parent-teen driving agreements or on keeping
teens safer on the road, log on to http://www.AAA.com/publicaffairs.
To
find a driving school near you, or to find out more about driving
courses,
go to http://www.AAA.com.
Seventeen reaches more
than 13 million readers every month and is
today's largest selling teen beauty and fashion magazine. Seventeen
is
published by Hearst Magazines, a unit of Hearst Corporation
(http://www.hearst.com)
and one of the world's largest publishers of
monthly magazines, with a total of 19 U.S. titles and nearly 200
international editions. Hearst Magazines reaches more adults in
the U.S.
than any other publisher of monthly magazines (73.4 million according
to
MRI, fall 2006). The company also publishes 19 magazines in the
United
Kingdom through its wholly owned subsidiary, The National Magazine
Company
Limited.
AAA Chicago has represented
roadway interests for motorists and
pedestrians and serves as a leading advocate for various traffic
safety and
travel-related issues for more than a century.
For more information
on any aspect of AAA Chicago's breadth of service
including AAA's home, auto and life insurance products; travel-related
services, AAA's Show Your Card & Save program; and/or any AAA
membership
service including emergency roadside assistance, please visit our
Web site
at http://www.AAA.com
or call us toll-free at 1-866-YOUR-AAA (968-7222).
Source: AAA Chicago
|
