Despite TWD Dangers, Teens Continue to Text

Teens continue to text from behind the wheel, even though they are aware of the associated dangers. And, parents are enabling it, according to findings from a 2011 teen driving study by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD).

More than half (59 percent) of the 2,294 high school students surveyed said texting while driving was very/extremely distracting, but 53 percent said they text while they drive at least sometimes, and 28 percent admit doing so often or very often.

Teens aren’t the only ones texting while driving, according to a GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test, which polled 5,130 licensed drivers ages 16-65, from 50 states and the District of Columbia in July. This study’s results revealed that eight in 10 drivers say that it’s never safe to text, email or use a smartphone while driving, according to a recent survey. Yet, 50 percent of those same drivers reported making calls on their phones, and 15 percent admitted to sending and reading text messages while driving.

More than 40 percent of teens from the Liberty Mutual/SADD study who text while driving send more than 10 messages from behind the wheel each day. Nearly one in 10 teens text 50 or more messages daily while driving.

As expected, they’re (70 percent) texting friends. But, this number has decreased 10 percent from 2009. Teens are increasingly texting mom and dad—63 percent, compared to 55 percent in 2009. And, 59 percent of teens say they are texting their parents about where they are.

"While it's important for parents to know where their children are and what they are doing, they need to take a firm stance against texting while driving and other distracted driving behaviors," said Stephen Wallace, senior advisor for policy, research and education at SADD. "This research shows that despite awareness campaigns and laws against texting while driving, it's a common behavior among teens that parents inadvertently may be aiding."

Texting is only one of several driving distractions available to teens in today's plugged-in world. The Liberty Mutual/SADD study revealed that teens at least sometimes use these technologies while driving:

• 73 percent change songs on their iPod or MP3 player

• 67 percent talk on a cell phone

• 13 percent use their cell phone to access the Internet

• 13 percent update their Facebook status or MySpace account from their cell phones

• 10 percent take pictures or videos with their cell phones

• 4 percent use an iPad or tablet PC

"Technology surrounds us, adding more responsibility upon parents to talk to their teen drivers about when and where to use it," said Dave Melton, a driving safety expert with Liberty Mutual and managing director of Global Safety. "The reality is, the 'don't talk on the phone while driving' conversation of a few years ago, must today expand to 'don't use your cell phone, MP3 player or any computer device for any reason while driving.' If you're not talking about it, chances are they will do it."