New Survey of Teens Shows Parents Are Sending the Wrong Message by Texting While Driving

WASHINGTON, Oct. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- In a recent Driving-Tests.org online survey of 2,000 teens preparing for their driving tests, 62.9 percent of teens reported that their parents are texting while driving with their teens in the car.  This is setting a potentially fatal example of driving behavior as 82 percent of responding teens report they learn how to drive by observing their parents' driving habits and 65.4 percent of responding teens report that texting and driving is the worst habit facing teen drivers today.  The findings reinforce not only the need for parents to set a positive example and put their phone down while they drive, but to also understand the tremendous positive and negative impact their driving habits can have on their teen.  Parents can place their phone in a glove box before driving, or place their phone on silent and out of reach in the car to set a positive example for their teen.

The survey is released in advance of Teen Driver Safety Week (October 18-24), raising awareness of motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of death for 14-18 year olds in the United States.  In 2013, 2,614 teen drivers were involved in fatal crashes and an estimated 130,000 more were injured, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).  In addition, NHTSA reports that nearly 40 percent of new drivers fail their written exams the first time they take them.  The survey results are in-line with previous studies conducted by the National Safety Council and AT&T and shed light on the magnitude of the issue.  

"We want to help teens become safer drivers and help parents understand their role in the process," said Andrei Zakhareuski, Founder of Driving-Tests.org.  "We are passionate about the need for and the importance of high quality online driver education to help lower the number of teen driver related crashes, injuries and fatalities." 

Driving-Tests.org fills a need concerning new driver safety education behind the wheel.  In an effort to help new drivers become safer drivers on the road and pass their tests, the site offers free online practice permit tests created by experts based on each state's driving manual.  The site has had more than 12 million unique users since 2010.  Site users are not required to create an account, provide any personal information or login for the service. In addition to real-time educational feedback on questions answered, the site also features valuable information for teens and resources for parents to help their teen drivers become safe drivers.

To view the full survey methodology and results please click here or contact Cathy Gillen for interviews at [email protected] or (443) 463-4449.

Contact:  Cathy Gillen 
(443) 463-4449 or
[email protected]

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SOURCE Driving-Tests.org

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