Parents Take Driving Risks Too, Survey Finds

A survey by Liberty Mutual Insurance and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) found that parents admit they are just as bad as teens when it comes to risky driving behaviors. According to the survey, parents admit to dangerous driving practices in disturbing numbers:

• Talking on a cell phone while driving: 86%
• Speeding: 80%
• Texting and driving: 40%
• Driving after drinking: 34%
• Driving without a seat belt: 21%

"Research shows that teens often replicate their parents' poor driving behaviors, so it's critical for the safety of everyone on the road that parents be a model for responsible driving whenever they are behind the wheel," says Liberty Mutual's Dave Melton.

Liberty Mutual and SADD encourage parents and teens alike to have frequent and open conversations about responsible driving, and to consider signing the Parent/Teen Driving Contract. The contract offers a guide to safe driving conversations and a customized agreement for parents and teens to create and uphold family driving rules.

"The majority of teens learn to drive from their parents, and an open dialogue about safe behaviors on both sides is critical," says SADD's Stephen Gray Wallace. "If parents aren't setting the right example for safe driving every time they're behind the wheel, it's probable that teens will learn and mimic those risky behaviors."