Survey: Teens Get Driving Habits From Parents

State Farm® released the findings of a national survey revealing that parents unknowingly may be contributing to teens' risky driving behaviors by not practicing what they preach. To help reduce teen driver vehicle crashes, the No. 1 killer of U.S. teens, State Farm conducted the survey to learn more about how parents approach their driver's education roles.

State Farm Claims data from the past five years show that October averages the highest number of teen auto insurance claims. According to State Farm, an increase in the number of 16- and 17-year-old driver claims* involving injury or collision can be expected to jump nearly 20 percent in October as compared to other months.

Key findings from the parent survey show that in many instances the majority of parents are not following the safe driving advice they give to their teens, possibly setting dangerous examples for young, inexperienced drivers:

* 65 percent of parents talk on cell phones at least sometimes while driving; however 94 percent restrict their teens from doing the same;
* 68 percent of parents are in a hurry at least sometimes when they drive;
* 65 percent of parents drive when they are tired at least sometimes;

The parent survey is a follow-up to the 2007 National Young Driver Survey, conducted by State Farm and The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia® (CHOP), which examined driving through the eyes of teens and found that they drive under dangerous conditions -- while fatigued, talking on cell phones, and with multiple passengers.

More specifically:

* 89 percent of teens said they see their peers talking on cell phones while driving at least sometimes;
* 91 percent of teens see their peers driving in a hurry at least sometimes;
* 75 percent of teens said they see their peers drive when they are tired at least sometimes.

"We are asking parents to be aware that their teens are watching and learning from their behaviors," said Laurette Stiles, vice president of Strategic Resources for State Farm. "State Farm is committed to working with parents to ensure their teens develop safe, smart driving behaviors. We will again join Congress in support of National Teen Driver Safety Week, Oct. 19- 25, to encourage parents, as well as young drivers, lawmakers and educators to work together to change risky driving behaviors and help save lives."

The parent survey also found that parents would have liked more information or advice on teaching their teens to drive. For example:

-- Half of parents would have liked more information on helping their teens avoid distractions

-- One out of three could have used more advice on freeway driving, nighttime driving and road rage

-- One fourth would have liked information on ways to help their teen avoid drinking and driving.

* This data was collected by adjusting for unequal numbers of days per month and excludes comprehensive, uninsured and underinsured claims.