During National Teen Driver Safety Week, AAA released research that indicates interacting with passengers is the most common distraction leading to teen driver accidents in Georgia.
Interacting with passengers in the vehicle contributed to 15% of teen crash crash videos studied by AAA. The organization also determined that overall distraction was a factor in nearly 60% of teen crashes, including 89% of road-departure crashes and 76% of rear-end crashes.
The report indicates that 12% of teen crashes studied involved cellphone use and 10% were caused by looking at something in the vehicle. Also on the list of top distractors leading to a crash by a teen driver is looking at something outside the vehicle (9%), singing or dancing to music (8%), grooming (6%), and reaching for an object (6%).
“We all know how distracting cell phones can be, but driving with teen passengers is even more dangerous for our younger drivers,” said Garrett Townsend, Georgia Public Affairs Director, AAA – The Auto Club Group.
“Make sure all the teen drivers in your life know the dangers and how to stay safe.”
AAA also recommends that parents get involved as their teens learn to drive by helping them practice in varying conditions, enrolling them in a driver education program, and setting a good example behind the wheel.
Resources to help parents choose a class and coach their teen through the learning to drive process can be found online.
Monday
October 21st, 2024
5:08PM
