As a teen driver, i follow all the rules: hands on nine and three, feet comfortably on the pedals and phone out of my hand. With Teen Texting and Driving week upon us, teen drivers will hear that last rule more than they already do, as teens are stereotypically seen as the most common perpetrators, too attached to their technology to see beyond the screen.
However, according to a study conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, adult drivers are actually the likeliest age group to admit to using their phone while driving.
According to AAA, a majority of adults age 25 to 39 reported using their phone while driving, and 43 percent admitted to using it fairly often or regularly while driving. On the other hand, under 60 percent of teens said they use their phone while driving, making it ironic that teens are most often warned about the dangers of distracted driving.
Of course, these studies are self-reported, so participants could easily lie in their responses. However, the fact that even this many individuals admitted to participating in distracted driving is concerning enough, but combining that with how many adult drivers I’ve personally seen playing Candy Crush while driving (about three in the past three months), this issue becomes even more imperative.
In short, although teens may be the most common exemplar of distracted drivers, one should note that even the most experienced driver may fall victim to the temptations of texting and driving. In fact, it is because teen drivers are stereotyped as bad drivers that adults become overconfident in their ability to drive and text, which they become more likely to do so.
However, the dangers of distracted driving can be fatal for any age group, so no matter who you are, end that Candy Crush game, turn off your ringer and put that phone away before you get behind the wheel. That text, phone call or game can wait.