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.