☰ ˟
Agent Appointment  Call Now / 713-227-7283
Logo
  • Home
  • Get a Quote
  • What We Offer
    • Automobile
    • Bonds
    • Business & Commercial
    • Business Owners Policy (BOP)
    • Commercial Auto
    • Dental
    • Earthquake
    • Farm
    • Flood
    • General Liability
    • Health
    • Homeowners
    • Life
    • Limousine
    • Motorcycle
    • Recreational Vehicle
    • Renters
    • Trucking
    • Vision
    • Watercraft & Boat
    • Windstorm
    • Workers Compensation
  • Agents
    • Agent Appointment
    • How We Can Help
    • Carrier Appointments
    • Online Payment
    • Get a Quote
  • Policy Service
    • Customer Service Forms
    • Make a Payment
    • Claims
  • Resources
    • View our Blog
    • Secure File Area
    • Refer a Friend
    • Important Links
    • Calculators
    • Free Reports
    • Insurance Glossary
    • FAQs
    • Join Our Newsletter
  • About Us
    • About Reliable Insurance Managers Inc
    • Our Locations
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Employee Directory
    • Customer Testimonials
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

What can we help you cover!
Bookmark and Share
Home > Blog > The 5 Most Common Distractions of Teen Drivers
SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012

The 5 Most Common Distractions of Teen Drivers

teen driverThe 5 Most Common Distractions of Teen Drivers

AAA recently released the findings of a study they conducted regarding the distractions encountered by teen drivers. The purpose of the study was to discover what preventable environmental events pulled a teen’s attention from the road. Using videos, audio clips and other data, they amassed a list of distractions encountered during real-life driving adventures.

Because this list is based on actual events, it gives us priceless data that can help us determine which topics are most important to discuss with our teens and how to teach them to be better, less distracted, drivers. Here are the five top distractions AAA researches observed.

Electronic devices:

 In almost 7% of the clips AAA researchers studied, electronic devices such as cell phones were present and distracting, and female teen drivers seem especially prone to being distracted by them. Not only is it important to talk to your teen about the dangers of using a cell phone or texting while driving, but it is also important to have a system of preventative measures in place that stops them from engaging in this behavior while behind the wheel. This can include downloading apps that auto respond to text messages while your teen is driving so they feel less compelled to answer texts themselves, monitoring cell phone usage so that you can identify periods when calls were made or received while driving, and having consequences for utilizing electronic devices while driving. But it’s not just about having consequences in place—it’s also about enforcing them.

Adjusting controls:

Distraction due to adjusting dashboard controls was present in 6.2% of the data collected by AAA. Changing the radio station, raising the volume of the stereo, changing CDs, skipping tracks, and even operating some of the dashboard utilities such as directionals and windshield wipers can easily pull your teen driver’s eyes away from the road ahead. Make sure your teen understands that they must be comfortable with all dashboard controls before they begin driving and that the only appropriate time to play with the radio and CD player is when they are at a complete stop or when they are able to do so without looking at the controls. It only takes a few seconds to get into a car accident—make sure they understand that changing the radio station provides just enough distraction for that.

Attending to personal hygiene:

 3.8% of the data collected by AAA showed teen drivers distracted by personal hygiene behaviors. Make sure your team understands the consequences of removing his or her eyes from the road for the three seconds it takes to put their misplaced hair back in place. Let your teen know that brushing their teeth, shaving, combing their hair and applying makeup are all behaviors that should be done before they get in the car or after they reach their destination.

Eating or drinking:

 In 2.8% of the clips analyzed, a teen was distracted by either eating or drinking and sometimes both. It’s hard enough for a teen driver to learn how to interpret and react to all the information presented when they are driving—adding eating and drinking to the menu seems simple, but can result in way too much distraction and should be discouraged while they are behind the wheel.

If they must eat breakfast after leaving for school, give them something easily portable that they can munch on after they've parked the car and are walking to their first class.

Reaching for another object.

 In 2.5% of the clips observed, teen drivers were distracted as they reached for another object found inside the vehicle.  Remind your teen that while driving, paying attention to the road is the most important task they have to complete. Should they need to reach for an object that is not right next to them while driving, it's a good idea to pull over and stop the car or to ask a passenger to get it.

By minimizing the distractions your teen faces while driving, you’ll not only keep them safer but also keep their insurance premiums lower. To discuss more safe driving tips for you and your teen, or to talk about Houston auto insurance rates and limits that are perfect for teen drivers, give us a call at 713-227-7283.

Posted 10:46 PM

Tags: houston auto insurance, houston car insurance, auto insurance, car insurance, teen drivers
Share |


No Comments


Post a Comment
Required
Required (Not Displayed)
Required


All comments are moderated and stripped of HTML.

NOTICE: This blog and website are made available by the publisher for educational and informational purposes only. It is not be used as a substitute for competent insurance, legal, or tax advice from a licensed professional in your state. By using this blog site you understand that there is no broker client relationship between you and the blog and website publisher.
Blog Archive
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008

  • insurance(133)
  • texas(93)
  • houston(45)
  • to(44)
  • tips(39)
  • katy(39)
  • safety(29)
  • in(23)
  • for(20)
  • auto insurance(19)
  • insurancepro(19)
  • on(18)
  • auto(15)
  • from(15)
  • health(15)
  • policy(13)
  • home insurance(13)
  • business insurance(13)
  • of(12)
  • savings(11)
  • a(11)
  • agency(10)
  • coverage(10)
  • how(10)
  • car(10)
  • houston auto insurance(9)
  • complaints(9)
  • quoting(8)
  • obama(8)
  • texas department of insurance(8)
  • new(8)
  • reports(7)
  • up(7)
  • house(7)
  • homeowners(7)
  • website(7)
  • state(6)
  • more(6)
  • life insurance(6)
  • the(6)
  • what(6)
  • healthcare(6)
  • after(6)
  • renters insurance(6)
  • your(6)
  • tx(6)
  • ways(6)
  • senate(5)
  • work(5)
  • houston car insurance(5)

View Mobile Version

Our Customer Feedback

Read More

Our latest blogs

  • Carrier
  • Carrier
  • Carrier
  • Carrier
  • Carrier
Reliable Insurance Managers, Inc.
Call:
713-227-7283
We work for you. As a one-stop agency, we continually search for companies that offer great rates and that are easy to work with. Our staff of proven professionals is committed to providing you with the type of exceptional service you deserve and expect.
We're here for you
Home Page/ About Us/ Contact Us/ Our Blog/ Latest News/ Join Our Newsletter/ Refer A Friend
Quick Help Links
Quote Forms/ Service Forms/ File a Claim/ Make a Payment/ Insurance Glossary/ FAQs
Icon Icon
Icon Icon Icon
Social Icon Social Icon Social Icon Social Icon Social Icon Social Icon
© Copyright. All rights reserved. Powered by Insurance Website Builder