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Teens Are Learning Distracted Driving Behavior From Parents

By Jeff Bartlett, Consumer Reports

By Exhaust Notes Sep 26, 2012 1:50PM

Distracted teen talks on cellphone while driving (© Corbis)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on MSN.

 

Risky driving behavior by teenagers is too often learned through observing their parents, according to a new survey. About 90 percent of the teens report observing their parents talking on a cell phone while driving, while 88 percent said they saw them speed.

 

Conducted by Liberty Mutual Insurance and SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), the survey of 1,700 11th and 12th graders finds these teens witness frequent, dangerous driving behavior by their parents. And the teens mimic these bad practices.

 

Consumer Reports distracted driving table (© Consumer Reports)

 

"The best teacher for a teen driver is a good parental role model," says Stephen Wallace, senior advisor for policy, research and education at SADD.

 

Whether you're a parent, friend, or sibling, set a good example. Stop the car in a safe place if you need to use a cell phone. And if you're riding with a driver compelled to talk or text with a phone, offer to do it for them. Using a phone behind the wheel can be tempting, but the risks are real and truly not worth it.

 

Driving under the influence or not wearing a seatbelt are foolish choices. These are not new risks and the consequences are well established. Any responsible driver knows better.

 

For more information, visit our guide to distracted driving.

 

Read more at Consumer Reports:

Best used cars for teens

Best and worst vehicle blind spots

 

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13Comments
Stefano4x
Sep 26, 2012 4:11PM
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So if Mommy and Daddy do it,  so can I !    Way too many IDIOTS on the road,  young and Old
ONESAWB
Sep 27, 2012 3:54PM
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 Driving is the deadliest thing most of us will ever do, I did my best to teach my 2 sons how to stay alive. they both started on go carts  and graduated up to a drivers license at 16. I always tried to set a good example  I don't even listen to the radio or hold a conversation in heavy traffic and never have. We were in the wrecker business while they were growing up so they've seen the down side of stupid drivers . They both drove wreckers part time while they were in college so they've seen the bloody results. Everyone should have to drive a wrecker for a year to get a license After 35 years in the wrecker business pulling dead kids and innocent victims from the destruction We've seen just how deadly a car can be and a drunk behind the wheel is waay past stupid.
arclar
Sep 27, 2012 4:28PM
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I'm 24 and yes, I will talk on the phone while I am driving. Not constantly, long periods, or during heavy traffic, but yes, I will talk on the phone while driving. And no, I did not learn this from my parents. My dad does not possess a cell phone at all and my mom barely knows when she is receiving a call let alone trying to get her to answer it. Kids decide through example and experience how and when to use their devices. Putting it all on the parents is unacceptable, and frankly, idiotic. There are several factors that can influence a child and parents are one, but to blatantly say they are the sole reason their child is performing a task society has warned them not to do, that risks their lives, is ridiculous. 
politically-incorrect
Sep 27, 2012 3:17PM
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The author obviously never did anything on his own when he was a teenager.  He obviousy only did what his parents told him and never disobeyed and never had an independent thought and/or action.
USA CM2
Sep 27, 2012 4:35PM
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****,

 

Always finding something or someone to blame it on!  How about that teens just do these types of things once they get their freedom, not to mention learning these habits from their peer group! PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY!!  C'mon Man!

xXblinnyboyXx
Sep 27, 2012 4:07PM
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i dont get this because teens should know what the right thing to do is anyway despite what their parents do so they are gonna just blame their parents for when there texting while driving that does not work that is not fair to their parents and im guessing that their friends have a big part in infuencing them more than their parents
zippy6420
Sep 27, 2012 5:24PM
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im a teen driver and i don't do any of those things at all. i find that if you do then your asking to hurt those around you. and i dont find that we learn from our parents example at all i watch my grandpa drive and i drive way differently from him and follow the law. sure you can go over the speed time to time when your not pay attention to your speed needle. or its just they want to show off to their friends. and if you do talk on your phone use a bluetooth man it wouldnt kill you to spend extra money to stay safe and keep other safe.
caryzoo748
Sep 27, 2012 4:02PM
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No..it is not me. I have a simple phone.  No internet. I do not text while driving, and you can ask all 3 of my kids...I answer the phone but tell them I am driving and I will call them later. I truly believe the kids have no concept of responsible driving..many of my kids friends may have gotten their poor habits from their parents, the kids with the latest and greatest iphones, for example. Since I am not one of those parents, why am I at fault? My opinion only..it is a peer thing. Like so much else with our poor kids these days.
r.p.n.y.c.
Sep 27, 2012 3:37PM
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for the first time i agree with the its not my fault generation it is the parents fault because we as a society do not allow parents to be parents. it seems that we are forced to be their friends when every once in a while we need to put our foot up their asse$ and let them know you are the boss not their buddy
Shellback53
Sep 27, 2012 3:22PM
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If you are not a qualified instructor you should not be trying to teach something about which you are not qualified. 
Firstly you should know the rules and understand them - all of them. Secondly you should be at least a qualified Cert IV instructor. No Cert IV and you should not instruct. FINISH
Oh and using a mobile - watch people walking down a street while talking (not even texting) on their mobile. They walk into people, posts, even into traffic and the list goes on. Most people are not multi skilled. 

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