Many parents follow the “Do as I say, not as I do” method of teaching their children appropriate behaviors. However, they should rethink that approach when it comes to encouraging their children to drive safely. According to a new study, teen drivers not only ignore that advice, but they actually mimic their parents’ poor driving behaviors.
In a survey conducted by Liberty Mutual and Students Against Destructive Decisions, researchers found that an overwhelming number of the young drivers reported they get their poor driving habits from their parents.
In fact, in a side-by-side comparison of poor driving habits, the results show that "parents are modeling destructive driving behaviors, and their teens follow suit." After analyzing information from the 1,700 teens surveyed, researchers found the following parent-child driving behaviors:
- Talking on a cellphone while driving: 91% of parents / 90 % of teens
- Speeding: 88% parents / 94% teens
- Texting while driving: 59% parents / 78% teens
- Driving without a seatbelt: 47% parents / 33% teens
- Driving while under the influence: 20% parents / 15% teens
“These findings highlight the need for parents to realize how their teens perceive their actions,” said Dave Melton, a driving safety expert with Liberty Mutual Insurance and managing director of global safety. “Your kids are always observing the decisions you make behind the wheel, and in fact have likely been doing so since they were big enough to see over the dashboard.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "Young drivers, ages 15 to 20 years old, are especially vulnerable to death and injury on our roadways – car crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in America." It is critical that parents work with their teenage drivers to help keep America’s highways safe.
“The best teacher for a teen driver is a good parental role model,” said Stephen Wallace, senior advisor for policy, research and education at SADD. “But parents have to demonstrate good driving behavior from the onset so new drivers understand that safe driving rules apply to everyone equally.”
Our Bloomfield Hills car accident attorneys urge parents to think twice about using their cellphone or not buckling up when they get behind the wheel.
A Michigan Car Accident Attorney Can Help
If you have been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver in Michigan, you have a legal right to seek compensation. But you have limited time to file a lawsuit, so it’s important to contact a Michigan car accident lawyer without delay. The experienced attorneys of The Michigan Injury Lawyers will handle the necessary paperwork to make sure you don’t miss important deadlines. If you have been injured in a car accident, we can help you obtain a fair settlement.We respond promptly to telephone calls and report regularly on developments in your case. Call The Michigan Injury Lawyers at 866-577-7215, or contact us online. If there is no recovery in your case, there is no fee for our services.