Driving Habits: Like Father, Like Son

According to the results of a national survey, parents may unknowingly contribute to their teens' risky driving behaviors by not following their own advice.

State Farm, the nation's largest auto insurer, conducted the study to find ways to reduce collisions involving teens, which represents the top cause of U.S. teen deaths, and found that teens often mirror parents' poor driving habits.

The findings are noteworthy because State Farm claim data from the past five years show that the fall season — more specifically, October — averages the highest number of teen auto insurance claims. Key findings from the parent survey show that, in many instances, the majority of parents are not following the safe driving advice they dispense to their teens, possibly setting dangerous examples for young, inexperienced drivers. Nearly 65 percent of parents talk on cell phones at least sometimes while driving; however, 94 percent restrict their teens from doing the same. Sixty-eight percent of parents are in a hurry at least sometimes when they drive, and 65 percent of parents drive when they are tired at least sometimes.

State Farm's survey is a follow-up to the 2007 National Young Driver Survey, which was conducted by the insurer and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). The previous analysis sought to grasp the teen perspective and understand behaviors in dangerous conditions, such as those arising while drivers were fatigued, talking on cell phones, and carrying multiple passengers. More specifically, the study yielded the following results:

• 89 percent of teens reported seeing their peers talking on cell phones while driving at least sometimes.
• 91 percent of teens witnessed peers “driving in a hurry,” at least sometimes.
• 75 percent of teens responded that their peers drive when they are tired at least sometimes.

To save lives and reduce claims, State Farm created an interactive Facebook page devoted to safety for drivers in this particular age group. Parents who join the page can learn ways to help their teens navigate the road and share safe driving tips with other parents.