Liberty Mutual/SADD Study Reveals Teens Drink and Drive on NYE

New data from a 2011 teen driving study by Liberty Mutual Insurance and SADD reveals that teens believe New Year's Eve is the most dangerous time of year to drive, yet it also is the holiday or event when teens most frequently drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. The results of a survey of about 2,300 eleventh and twelfth graders show that when teen drivers were asked about how dangerous they feel certain events are for driving and the likelihood of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs on one of these events, New Year's Eve topped both lists. While 49% of respondents view NYE as extremely dangerous to drive under the influence, 10% admitted they had done it in the past. The 4th of July came in second, while prom was third, followed by graduation and homecoming. Liberty Mutual/SADD research shows that clear driving ground rules, with mutually agreed upon expectations, consequences and rewards, are effective in curbing unsafe driving behaviors by teens. The Parent/Teen Contract at LibertyMutual.com/TeenDriving offers families a starting place to begin the safe driving conversation.