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A recent study conducted by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Students Against Destructive Decisions revealed that despite knowing the dangers associated with texting while driving and other distracted driving behaviors, teens are doing it anyway.
The study polled 2,294 high school students and more than half, 53 percent, said they text while they drive some of the time, and 28 percent said they text while driving often or very often. More surprisingly, a portion of respondents said they're having text conversations with their mom or dad while driving.
"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."
The survey also revealed that texting isn't the only form of distracted driving undertaken by U.S. teens. Other technologies are also used while behind the wheel, with 73 percent of respondents saying they manipulate their MP3 player while driving and 13 percent saying they use their cellphone to access the internet as well as their Facebook or MySpace account while in drive.
"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 cellphone, MP3 player or any computer device for any reason while driving.' If you're not talking about it, chances are they will do it."
Texting while driving and other forms of distracted driving are big no-no's in the eyes of auto insurance companies. With teen auto insurance rates high as it is, parents and teens alike will want to do everything in their power to show they are responsible, low risk drivers in order to reduce the amount they pay on auto insurance coverage.
Keeping a clean driving record, driving a car with a high safety rating and even maintaining a high grade point average are all ways that parents can save on their teens' auto insurance coverage.
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