Despite all that focus on the dangers of distracted driving – especially the deadly consequences of texting while driving – a new survey from insurer State Farm indicates that many teens are ignoring the message.

 

As reported by USA Today, the survey, conducted for State Farm by Harris Interactive, finds that just 43% of drivers ages 16 and 17 say they have never texted while driving — the same percentage as in the insurer's first survey in 2010.

 

Yet 76% of teens ages 14-17 agree that "if you regularly text and drive, someday you will be killed while driving," and 93% agree that "if you regularly text and drive, someday you will get into an accident."

 

“The message apparently isn't sinking in for some. ‘Unfortunately, it has not in terms of the teens who say they're texting while driving,’ says Chris Mullen, State Farm's director of technology research.”

 

The survey emphasizes the vital and key role parents play in curbing teen texting and driving. “Among the teens who text, 67% talk often with their parents about driving; that rises to 82% among teens who never text while driving.”

 

While the survey reflects current attitudes of teens about texting and driving, it also adds to the growing library of studies and research that shows distracted driving, especially among new and young drivers, is dangerous and potentially deadly. That’s why DCH Auto Group began the Teen Safe Driving Program that has recently evolved into The DCH Teen Safe Driving Foundation, a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to reducing the number auto-related crashes involving teens. Our Foundation's approach is to educate teens about smart decisions and safe driving and provide parents with the tools they need to set the standards with their teenage drivers. We sponsor events, activities and opportunities for learning with the ultimate goal of reducing crash related tragedies.

 

One of our activities, the D3NJ (Don’t Drive Distracted New Jersey) Safe Driving Awareness Campaign Contest, invites teens to develop awareness campaigns about distracted driving. The contest will reward the creator of the best safe driving campaign with either a new car or college scholarship. The winning campaign will also be produced by grant underwritten by the DCH Teen Safe Driving Foundation. Similar contests are planned for New York and California, the other states DCH Auto Group conducts business.

 

We’ll be announcing the winner of the D3NJ contest 10AM on May 5 at DCH Academy Honda in Old Bridge, NJ. We’ll also be launching a new Website for the DCH Teen Safe Driving Foundation within the next month where we’ll offer tips for teens and parents about safe driving, among other valuable information and resources related to teen safe driving. Be on the lookout for DCHTSDF.org, but for now please visit us at DCHAuto.com/TeenSafeDrivingFoundation for more information about our Foundation and activities.