For Teen Drivers, Distractions Can Be as Deadly as Drinking
Jan. 25, 2007 — -- Car accidents are the No. 1 killer of teenagers in the United States, and teens who drive with other teens stand a greater chance of having a fatal accident than those who drive alone, a new study says.
While many teens are aware of the dangers of drinking and driving, other distractions can be just as deadly, according to the study released today by the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm Insurance.
They surveyed more than 5,000 high school students and found the following:
"The message that teens have gotten is that drinking and driving are a problem, but it's so much more than that. Distractions are huge," said Dr. Flaura Winston of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
While distractions may be strong in the car, some teens are paying attention and speak up to prevent their friends from getting into accidents.
"A lot of times I drive with one of my friends, and she will be sitting there text messaging. And you know I tell her -- don't," Elisa Asencio said.
Because teens are prone to listen to each other, that's a good move.
"As a parent with three children, I know that teens listen to other teens," said Laurette Stiles of State Farm Insurance.
Groups like the Ad Council hope teens also listen to commercials. New TV ads out today encourage teens to combat reckless driving. And the Governors Highway Safety Association runs a slick Web site for teens with games, tuturorials and guidance on safe driving (www.drivingskillsforlife.com).
While teens might get advice from ads and their peers, the study found that their parents' opinions mattered, too.
More than half of the teens surveyed said their parents had helped teach them how to drive and nearly two-thirds said that their parents' opinion about cell phone use mattered to them.
The study also says that nationwide changes in licensing laws could reduce the number of teen driving deaths. A graduated system that delays a full-privilege driver's license until young drivers gain enough experience to drive safely in dangerous conditions could make teens safer.
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