Youth Distracted Driving Survey

On behalf of the US National Distracted Driving Coalition (NDDC), the Traffic Injury Research Foundation, USA, Inc. (TIRF USA) conducted a survey of youth on the topic of distracted driving. A total of 1,217 young drivers responded to the survey from 26 states, with 95 respondents opting not to disclose their state. Individual links were provided to US-based youth organizations to distribute the anonymous survey to teens aged 15 to 19 years. It was comprised of 23 questions about their use of electronic devices while driving, the frequency of use, the types of activities they engaged in and their motivations for doing so. Information about perceptions and strategies they relied on to avoid distractions, including speaking up, was collected in addition to basic demographic information. Responding states included: AL, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, MD, MA, MI, MO, NE, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, TN, SC, TX, VA, DC, WY.

The national report is available here.

Here’s what Oklahoma teens said about their driving behaviors…

68% of teen respondents say that PARENTS and FRIENDS have the biggest influence on their driving choices.

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The top ranked reason for using their phone while driving was concern about parents/guardians being upset.

The next highest was not wanting to wait or pull over.

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Teens picked their parents (45%) as who most influenced their driving choices followed by friends/social group (23%).

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48% reported their PARENTS used their phone while driving at least sometimes, with 38% reporting PARENTS using it always/almost always, or at least half the time.

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Top three factors that would motivate them to STOP using their smartphone while driving included:

Loss of other life (20%)

Injury to others (20%)

Loss of own life (16%)

This survey reveals the important role parents, guardians, or other adults play in instilling safe driving habits.

Beyond teaching and emphasizing safe driving, adults should consistently model the behaviors they wish to see in their teens.