Teens Make Better Roll Models for Teen Drivers
Risk Assessment Survey Identify Adults as Worst Models

Preliminary results of a Risk Assessment Survey provide insight into driving modeling provided by parents and adults to novice drivers. Survey information provided teens to answer questions related to their own tendencies to take risks in every day activities, as well as driving.

Students were asked to evaluate personal driving skills and habits and that of their parents and friends. Additional preliminary findings include:

• Despite the law stating that teens must have 40 hours of supervised drivers training, 15% indicated the received less than 10 hours and over 50% met the 40 hour minimum.
  
  
• Over 25% of the students indicated that they had less than 10 hours experience driving at night. 
  
  
• Over 30% indicated they ‘sometimes’ use cell phones while driving, about 85% indicated their friends ‘sometimes’ and ‘often’ use cell phones while driving. Over 75% indicate their parents or other adults with whom they drive ‘sometimes’ or ‘often’ use cell phones while driving. 
  
  
• While 24% indicated they ‘sometimes’ run red lights by entering intersections after the light changes, they note that 40% of their friends do this. The proportion jumps again for adults – 14% of teens say adults do this ‘often’ and 34% indicated that their role model adults ‘sometimes’ run red lights. 
  
  
• 12% indicate they ‘often’ drive without seat belts and the majority indicated they ‘rarely’ or ‘never’ travel without seat belts. They see this behavior more in others than themselves – 44% say friends ‘sometimes’ drive without seat belts. 
  
  
• 20% of all respondents indicated that their friends ‘sometimes’ consume alcohol before driving, and 7.6% indicate that this happens ‘often’. 
  
  
• One third of all respondents indicate that they ‘joke around’ with their automobiles (swerve, race) ‘sometimes’. 
  
• 36% of students admit ‘sometimes’ driving aggressively themselves and over half say their friends drive ‘sometimes’ aggressively.  
  
  
• Respondents indicate they sometimes eat while driving or drive when tired. These behaviors are also noted for their friends and adult role models.

The survey was conducted at locations where students were taking simulation courses, and it is assumed they were more likely to be concerned with safe driving than average teens. Approximately 1000 Georgia teens have been surveyed and final results should be available in August, 2007.

January 31, 2006