Study Cites Teen Driver Distraction Danger

(AP)  More teenagers are heeding warnings about drinking and driving, but they routinely face behind-the-wheel distractions from cell phones to passengers that contribute to thousands of fatal crashes every year, according to a study released Thursday.

Teens often take the wheel amid commotion, angst or fatigue that would be challenging even for older drivers, said Dr. Flaura Winston, chief investigator for the study.

"We need to go beyond the message of drinking and driving and also talk about the message of distractions," said Winston, a pediatrician with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

The study by the children's hospital and State Farm Insurance Co., the nation's largest auto insurer, asked high school students what happens when their peers drive that makes them unsafe. The 2006 survey of more than 5,600 students was a scientific sampling of the 10.6 million students in public high schools across the U.S.

Ninety percent of teens said they rarely or never drive after drinking or using drugs, reflecting a trend that has seen teen traffic deaths involving alcohol drop by about 35 percent from 1990 to 2005, according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.

But teens reported a host of other in-car distractions that researchers say help make traffic accidents the No. 1 killer of U.S. teens, with a fatality rate four times higher than drivers aged 25-69, based on miles driven. About 5,600 teens died in traffic accidents in 2005, and about 7,500 were driving cars involved in fatal accidents.

Researchers found that one teenage passenger with a teen driver doubles the risk of a fatal crash, while the risk is five times higher when two or more teens ride along. Most states have laws restricting passengers when teens drive, but 15 states do not.

Nearly 90 percent of teens reported seeing peers drive while talking on cell phones and more than half spotted drivers using hand-held games, listening devices or sending text messages.

About 75 percent said they see teens driving while tired or struggling with powerful emotions, such as worries about grades or relationships. More than nine of 10 teens also reported seeing teen drivers speeding and half said they sometimes drive at least 10 mph over posted speed limits themselves.

"The environment for a teen driver is much more challenging and demanding than most of us adults thought. They're trying to manage all of that while trying to navigate the vehicle at the same time and they're pretty inexperienced at that," said Laurette Stiles, vice president of strategic resources at Bloomington-based State Farm.

Researchers say they will use the study to push for legislation such as stricter requirements for graduated drivers licenses, which can include mandated supervised driving with parents, night driving curfews and passenger restrictions.

The study's conclusions also will be shared with schools and parents, who can use them to warn teens about the potential hazards of driving, said Winston, who founded the children's hospital's Center for Injury Research and Prevention.

[intn1]

I pride myself on being a responsible teen driver. My friends are just as responsible. I have my friends in the car with me sometimes, but they don't distract me, and we always wear our seatbelts. The only time I have ever technically been on the phone and driving, was my mother called the cell phone of my friend, and he turned on the speakerphone so I could talk to her. I obey the speed limit and never go racing or any crazy junk like that. Neither do any of my other friends. But we're all careful anyway. Back in August, 3 friends, my sister, and my friend's cousin were in a wreck. My sister nearly died, and my friend's cousin did. It was raining and only the driver had her seatbelt on. No, they weren't speeding or talking on the cell phones. We're all model drivers here now.

[sugar461]

I have been worrying recently about my daughter and driving. She just turned 15 on the 8th of January, and is already talking about getting her permit and having me teach her to drive this summer!
I have decided that it is going to be more than just letting her get behind the wheel and learn where the brake and gas pedals are. I am going to have her learn the traffic laws inside out, take her to a driving instructor, have her take a defensive driving class, and nag her about proper road etiquette, and anything else that might aid me in her be as educated as possible to be a safe driver. After that I can only hold my breath and hope that she paid attention. Other than those steps I have no idea how to stress the importance of the responsibility of controlling a motor vehicle.

I'll tell you this though...if I ever find out she is not driving safe and doing anything irresponsible I will immediately suspend her driving privileges without hesitation. To those who might question me on just how I would know if she is not practicing safe driving habits. If there is a will there is a way! I will KNOW.

We parents are responsible for seeing to it that our kids act appropriately until they are adults, and I take that duty very seriously. I will do everything I can to ensure that I never have to see the eyes of a parent whose child died because my child disregarded driving responsibly!

[peach652]

Ninety percent of the teens said they do not drive after drinking or doing drugs -- like that is something to be proud of. Are we now teaching our kids that it's OK to do drugs and alcohol as long as they don't drive? (Maybe I'm just getting old..... but it shocked me to read that 90% of these kids are doing drugs and alcohol. That's such a shame.)

[nativewoman]

Duh! Ya think?

This just in! Water is WET! Who knew?