• Nine out of ten teenage drivers say they engage in at least one smartphone behavior while driving.
• Parents influence their teenage children. Teens whose parents use cellphones while driving were more likely to do the same.
• Teens report using phones while driving despite finding such activities distracting and believing they can increase the likelihood of a crash.
• Teens who have been in an accident have a higher tendency to use their phone when behind the wheel.
• Many teens reported driving a vehicle equipped with an advanced safety feature: automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, or lane keeping assist. These teens more likely engaged in distracted smartphone behaviors while driving than those who drove vehicles without safety features. Teens are comfortable taking their eyes off the road to focus on other tasks when the safety systems are active. This is a dangerous combination.

“Drivers who engage in distracting behaviors while behind the wheel are making the decision to put themselves, their passengers and other road users at risk,“ said Laurel Straub, Assistant Vice President of Enterprise Research at State Farm. “Unfortunately, this risk often leads to crashes, injuries, and fatalities. These tragedies are preventable.”

For teens, parents are an important role model in the car.

"Our data shows that teens who admit to using a smartphone while driving are more likely to have a parent or guardian who also uses a phone while driving,” Straub added.

When learning hands-on driving skills it's important to:

• Eliminate distractions when behind the wheel.
• Practice your driving skills with your parents.
• Enroll in drivers education courses. 
• Review state graduated drivers licensing laws.
• Establish restrictions, boundaries and curfews. 

Tips to avoid distractions while driving (not just for teens!):

• Put the phone away. Set it to send an automatic reply while driving – no texts, internet, selfies or social media.
• Adjust controls -  GPS, radios, air conditioning, or mirrors – before driving.
• If you must call, pull over and park in a safe place or ask your passenger to call.
• Always, always have your head in the game – drive safe.

More safety help is available. Our auto insurance discount programs like State Farm Drive Safe & Save^TM and Steer Clear^® help you save while also improving your driving habits. Steer Clear reinforces safe driving habits in young drivers under age 25.

*Source: ^{1, 2} National Highway Traffic Safety Administration; ³ Pew Research Center

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• Full 2020 Survey Report: Distracted Teens Behind the Wheel

Brynn, 15, had just begun the driver’s education course at her high school to get her learner's permit. Then the pandemic forced students into remote learning in March.

It was one of many obstacles Brynn and students just like her suddenly had to navigate.

The course was adjusted to be completed remotely. However, departments of motor vehicles across the country altered their policies and availability to services. Driving schools were forced to close. Young drivers turned to their parents and family members.

“I’m apprehensive about driving,” Brynn said. “I’ve had some bad experiences and been in a couple of accidents. Driving terrifies me.”

In addition to being a passenger in a vehicle during a minor crash, a distracted teen driver crashed into her middle school bus. The school bus driver veered to avoid the collision causing the bus to roll onto its side.

“Nobody was seriously hurt,” Brynn’s mother Noel Payne said. “But those things are scarring. And now she’s not very excited because driving is stressful for her.”

Her apprehension is not unwarranted. National Teen Driver Safety Week (Oct. 18-24) is a time to remind teens of the need to remain focused behind the wheel. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens (15-18 years old) in the United States - ahead of all other types of injury, disease, or violence.

Because of the pandemic, more parents are teaching their children how to drive, while at the same time we are all driving fewer miles. Additionally, the distractions have changed. Parents didn’t have smart phones when they were teens.

In July 2020, State Farm surveyed teens (16-19 year-old drivers) to examine their attitudes and behaviors regarding the use of smartphones while driving. The survey revealed nearly nine out of 10 said they engage in at least one cellphone behavior while driving. Two-thirds of teens said they program a navigation app while driving. Just under half said they read text messages or talk on a hand-held phone when behind the wheel.

Parents may also be influencing their teenage children. Teens who said their parents use cellphones while driving were significantly more likely to engage in each phone activity.

“Putting the cell phone away is a conversation we have every time we are in the car and it’s a rule we’ve agreed upon,” Noel said. “There are so many distractions built into driving, she doesn’t need her cell phone to be one of them.”

Brynn knows she needs to remain focused on all the intricacies of learning. Especially understanding all the responsibilities of getting behind the wheel.

“I am not so worried about hitting someone. I feel like I am careful and understand the risks of driving and what I am doing,” Brynn said. “It is hard to focus on everything happening around you – what’s in front of you, what is behind you and alongside you or wherever anything else is coming from.

“I can control some of that,” Brynn said, “But I have no control over what other drivers are doing while they are behind the wheel. I’ve seen what can happen and that is scary.”

October and autumn have finally arrived for most parts of the country!

Research conducted by State Farm shows that October is the month with the most teen crash claims. Why is this? What’s the cause? Perhaps it’s because with the season comes with shorter days, hazardous weather conditions, and more after school activities. Personally, I find this time of year to be my busiest, and as a newly licensed driver. I find myself on the road more frequently to keep up with my busy schedule. This seems to be true for many of my friends and classmates too, and with more time on the road comes higher risks. Teens are especially vulnerable to distractions, impairment, and drowsiness, which makes any trip more dangerous.

Teens also lack experience behind the wheel. This makes even driving in perfect conditions a challenge. Even though there’s no true substitute for experience, my parents and I still work together on different skills that can help me be prepared for the unknowns of any trip. This preparation can include enrolling in drivers ed courses, reviewing state GDL laws, and establishing restrictions such as curfews and driving boundaries.

SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) works closely with State Farm to keep young people safe on the roads. In the third week of October, SADD and State Farm participate in National Teen Driver Safety Week. It is a time set aside to shine a spotlight on the #1 killer of teens - car crashes. In most recent studies, 3,255 teens ages 16-19 were involved in fatal car crashes. The most upsetting part about this statistic is that most all of these crashes are preventable. SADD students all across the country will be working with local State Farm agents to spread the word, educate teens and parents, and make sure everyone stays safe this October.

While this season is a fun time for many, we must work together to acknowledge the dangers of the road, specifically for teens. Teens - talk with your parents about good driving habits. Parents - monitor your teens to make sure they are safe behind the wheel. Simple decisions like wearing your seatbelt, putting down the cell phone, and limiting passengers can be the difference in making roads safer. Be safe out there and enjoy the colors of fall.

For National Teen Driver Safety Week 2018, SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) and State Farm collaborated on a survey aimed at learning what young people have to say about the advances in vehicle technology happening all around them. The survey asked the youth about existing advanced vehicle technology as well as fully autonomous vehicles.

Key Learnings

1. Teens appear to have an overall skepticism about fully autonomous vehicles.
   • When asked to rate their interest in driving cars that are fully autonomous, 55.6 percent rated this only a one (out of a possible five).
   • When asked whether they would feel safe riding in a car that is fully autonomous, 56.3 percent rated this just a one out of five. 
   • When asked about the future likelihood they will own or drive a car that is fully autonomous, 61.4 percent rated this a one out of five.
2. Nearly 20 percent (18.8 percent) believe their generation will be less likely to own a car than people are today.
3. The survey indicated there might be a need for more education about vehicle technologies. Those with greater understanding showed higher overall acceptance of new technology.

Survey Details

The teens were asked to rate different types of vehicle automation based on the following questions:

• How would you rate your understanding of this technology?
• How interested are you in driving cars with this technology?
• How safe do you (or would you) feel in a car with this technology?
• Now or in the future, how likely is it that you will own or drive a car with this technology?

In their own words...

For those who felt their generation would be less likely to own or drive a car with these technologies, we asked them to explain their reasons. Here is a sampling of their verbatim responses.

More likely (38.7%)

• Drivers will not want to relinquish control of their vehicle. I believe they will be receptive to assistance, but not a total loss of control.
• Regardless of price or mass transportation, everyone feels safer when somewhat in control of where they are driven.

As likely (42.4%)

• I think it would be the same. I know teens will want their own car and adults with professional jobs would not want to use these transportations. I personally would like my own car rather than use the transportations listed above.
• There are multiple advances in technology, especially transportation, which will eliminate the need for a car. I will greatly look into my personal need for a car with or without features. Future generations will not have the experience of a car that is not fully automatic so eventually the majority will have fully automatic cars.

Less likely (18.8%)

• I honestly just don't feel safe driving cars with no steering wheel, I understand that these cars are tested, but there is always chance for error.
• More companies such as Uber are taking over and are probably going to be more accepted as the normal thing to do.
• The cars of today will be a thing of the past, like a landline telephone.
• Cars with these modifications will be more expensive and public transportation would be most efficient.

The ratings...

Here are their ratings for each type of vehicle automation (one being least, five being greatest):

Fully automated vehicle with no steering wheel or brake pedal

Adaptive Cruise Control

Lane Keep Assistance

Automatic Emergency Braking

Methodology

SADD conducted an online poll during September and October 2018. Using their online membership portal, they asked students to answer questions about their thoughts and attitudes regarding automated vehicle technology. 764 high school students responded, representing SADD chapters across the country. The average age of respondent was 16.39 years.

This week marks the tenth anniversary of National Teen Driver Safety Week. Things look much different than they did ten years ago. Though it is tragic to lose even one young person in a car crash, the numbers have decreased nearly 43 percent in the past decade. In 2015, 4,308 teens were involved in fatal crashes compared to 7,500 in 2005*.

Where it all began

The 2006 National Young Driver Survey was a research collaboration between State Farm® and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. More than 5000 teens were surveyed to help us better understand teens’ driving attitudes and behaviors. Young drivers shared what they believe affects safe driving. In their own words, they provided insights on parental involvement, distractions, and risky driving behaviors.

The survey revealed a need to shine a light on ways to keep young drivers safe behind the wheel. In 2007, State Farm, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and members of Congress teamed up to designate the third week of October as National Teen Driver Safety Week.

“Over the past ten years we have seen a great combined effort to keep teens safe behind the wheel,” said Chris Mullen, Director of Technology Research at State Farm. “All across the country students, parents, schools, the medical community, insurers, safety organizations, auto manufacturers, corporations, policymakers and others have worked to improve safety through education, awareness, technology and strong Graduated Driver Licensing laws.”

Life-saving laws

The National Young Driver Survey highlighted the importance of the provisions that make up Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws. Strong GDL laws consist of: minimum age of 16 for a learner’s permit, a six-month holding period, supervised driving requirement, nighttime driving restriction, passenger restriction, cell phone restriction, and a minimum age of 18 for an unrestricted license.

Studies from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) attribute reductions in crash deaths to strong GDL programs. Nearly all states have substantially strengthened their GDL laws over the past twenty years.

All states now have at least some elements of graduated driver licensing. IIHS has created this calculator that estimates the effect of teen driver licensing changes, by state.

Parents making an impact

Over the past ten years, there has grown to be more emphasis on parental involvement in the learning to driver process. GDL laws, schools and driver education programs have placed more emphasis on the role of parents in the teen driving experience.

When teens begin driver’s education, many states and localities now require parents to attend informational meetings. This helps parents understand what their child will be learning, what learning is required outside of school, and familiarizes them with the state GDL laws.

“Car crashes are the greatest danger your teens face,” said Dr. Flaura Winston of The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “The good news? These crashes are preventable. As parents of new drivers, you play a vital role in keeping your teens safe on the road. In fact, our research has found that you can cut your teens’ crash risk in half by staying involved, setting rules, and being supportive.”

Peer-to-Peer Power

Award-winning Illinois driver education instructor Judy Weber-Jones believes teen-led safety programs have had a great impact on teens’ driving behaviors. “When teens lead outreach programs, during National Teen Driver Safety Week and year-round, they are helping create a culture of safe driving in their communities.”

Gerald Apple agrees. He is a board member of the Washington Traffic Safety Education Association and advisor for the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) clubs at Shelton High School and Junior High in Washington State. “We have seen students make a great impact on awareness of safety issues,” he said. “Through their distracted driving and other safety presentations and pledge drives within their schools and even elementary schools, kids are really paying attention.”

Going forward

Even though teen fatalities have gone down significantly compared to ten years ago, recent crash statistics show they are beginning to rise, just like the numbers for drivers of all ages.

“We really must turn this trend back around,” said Chris Mullen. “Studies show we can achieve that through a collaborative approach that includes teen-led programs, effective and affordable driver education, strong GDL laws, parental involvement, and advances in safety technology.”

*Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Fatality Analysis Reporting System

“Don’t drink and drive.” “Don’t drive while distracted.” A couple of phrases most teens have heard hundreds of times from parents, at school, or on the news.

Hearing the message is one thing, but what really drives the message home and creates change? In Texas, its peer-to-peer communication. Teens speaking and sharing with other teens, in their own words and ways.

Teens were challenged to convey the importance of practicing safe driving habits through visual arts. The Texas A&M University Transportation Institute’s Teens in the Driver’s Seat organization and State Farm, together, host the poster and video contest. The ninth annual “Driving the Message” event was held at CityLink in Richardson, TX in the spring of 2016.

Bloomington, Illinois, October 17, 2016 – Over 80 percent of teens said when surveyed that they use their smartphones while driving. According to a new report from State Farm, American teens who choose to be distracted by their smartphones when they’re behind the wheel are also more likely to participate in other dangerous driving behaviors, like speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or failing to wear a seatbelt.

In July, 2016 State Farm conducted a survey of teen drivers ages 16-19 which explored distracted driving behaviors. A strong relationship was revealed between teens’ willingness to use their smartphones while driving and participating in these other risky behaviors.

A clear relationship also emerged between admitted smartphone use behind the wheel and self-reported car crashes. Compared to those who have not been in a crash, those who have been in a crash were more than three times more likely to report watching videos and browsing the internet while driving and two to three times more likely to send and read texts, take pictures, record video, read and update social media, and play games on their cellphone while driving.

“Young drivers learn many of their driving behaviors from their parents,” says Chris Mullen, Director of Technology Research at State Farm. “In our survey, teens who indicated that their parents used cellphones while driving were more likely to report participating in many of these distracting activities. This tells us that parents have it in their power to help alleviate these dangerous activities by demonstrating safe driving themselves.”

Other findings from the survey include:

• The majority of teens understand that using their cellphone while driving is dangerous, and they also know that it is illegal. When asked why they still participate in these behaviors, top reasons included wanting to stay in touch with family and friends, and “it is a habit.”
• Those teens who refrain from using their smartphone while driving report doing so for safety reasons, and because it is illegal in their state.
• Teen drivers’ perceptions about their state laws impact their driving behavior. Regardless of the actual law, teens were more likely to use their phones while driving if they thought it was legal to do so, and less likely if they thought it was illegal.
• Those survey respondents who have their own car were significantly more likely to participate in distracting behaviors while driving than were those who share the family car.

The full report with survey results can be downloaded here.

Methodology

In July 2016, the State Farm Strategic Resources Department used an outside panel vendor to conduct an online survey of U.S. consumers ages 16-19. Survey responses were received from approximately 1,000 consumers who reported having a valid driver’s license, driving at least 1 hour per week, and owning a smartphone. A number of changes were made to the survey research in 2016 such that results in this report should not be compared with the results in the 2015 “Teens and Distracted Driving” report also produced by State Farm.

Today’s youth want to create positive change in their communities, contrary to some opinions of this generation. They are more than just social media and phone obsessed teens. In fact, 23 student leaders from Pennsylvania want their peers to put down those very phones and just drive.

This group of inspiring leaders are part of SADD – Students Against Destructive Decisions, supported by State Farm. In April of 2016, the group attended the Pennsylvania SADD Youth Safety Summit. There they spoke about wanting to prevent tragedies in the form of auto crashes from happening to their peers. They want to make sure new drivers get the experience behind the wheel they need and to help enact policy changes that will keep them safe.

The Pennsylvania high schoolers, equipped with relevant information, candidly discussed teen driver laws, specifically an amendment to a larger distracted driving bill. The bill, if passed, would require a zero tolerance policy for teen drivers when it comes to electronic devices (phones).

After a serious and thoughtful discussion, the teens decided to not only back the bill but share their opinions with decision makers – Pennsylvania state legislators.