Obviously distracted driving is a big problem among teenagers but a new study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has
turned up evidence that it might be much worse than previously believed. The foundations researchers analyze almost 1,700 videos of teen drivers taking from in-vehicle recorders and watching the six seconds leading up to crashes. They found distraction was a factor in 58% of those crashes including 76% of rear end crashes and 89% of accidents were the car ran off the road. Previously the NHTSA estimated only 14% of teen driver crashes were caused by distracted driving. That’s 4x the previous estimates.
The foundation released some startling video showing some of the distracted teens and the results of their inattentiveness. Some of the scenes from the video include:
- A teen girl distracted by her phone for roughly six seconds before she loses control and careens off the road.
- A teen boy with one hand on the phone and another on the wheel just seconds before colliding with another vehicle.
- A teen boy changing music before running off the road.
- A teen girl chatting with her girlfriend then plowing into a car in front of her.
Common Distractions Leading to Teen Crashes
The study found that some of the most common forms of distraction leading up to teen driver crash were 15% interacting with other passengers, 12% using cell phone, 10% looking at something inside car, 9% looking at something outside car, 8% singing, dancing, or music, 6% grooming, and 6% reaching for an object.
How to Limit Teen Accidents
Parents play a critical role in limiting distractions during driving. Some things parents can do to limit teen accidents –
- Set some rules. Let your teen driver know exactly what is expected of them. Outline for your teen driver acceptable driving behaviors. Teach teens about dangers of cell phone use. Consider making a parent-teen driving agreement.
- Buy a safe car. Buy a slow, underpowered, preferably large vehicle.
- Monitor teen behavior. Install an in-vehicle event recorder or device to monitor your teen while driving.
