Allstate Report Finds Teens Mimic Parents’ Risky Driving Behaviors

A report from The Allstate Foundation finds many parents are largely unaware that their teens are speeding, driving while distracted, and even driving under the influence. Making matters worse, teens may be picking up these same behaviors from their parents.distracted teen on cell phone

The findings were released in The Foundation’s new Driving Change Report. Among the key data:

“Our teen safe driving program has contributed to a nearly 48 percent decline in teen crash fatalities since 2005,” said Steve Sorenson, executive vice president, Allstate. “While there has been progress, we continue to encourage parents and teens to have an open dialogue about driving. It’s also important that parents ensure their teens are wearing their seatbelts, obeying speed limits and eliminating distractions, because these actions help to keep teens safer on the road.”

The report also found that parents are engaged in some of the same risky behaviors as their teens:

“Teens continue to tell us their parents are the number one influence on how they drive, so as parents we have an important responsibility to model good driving behaviors,” added Sorenson. “We must find new and compelling ways to motivate teens and parents to engage in safe driving habits.”

Additional Driving Change Report findings:

Compared to 2005, today’s teens are much more concerned about the consequences of crashes.

Today’s teens are also surprisingly receptive to getting more driving experience.

Source: Allstate Foundation