(September 25, 2008)—Talking on the cell phone is the chief distraction for teenage drivers in Texas, according to a new survey conducted in 10 cities around the state including Waco.
Next on the list of distractions is playing with the stereo, followed by having other teenagers in the car, according to Allstate Insurance Company’s Roadwatch Snapshot, which the company says is a one-day, real world look at teen driving habits.
Student volunteers from 20 schools across the state spent a half hour on Sept. 18 near the exit of student parking lots tallying up the number of drivers engaged in distracted behavior while leaving at the end of the school day.
“Motor vehicle crashes are the number one killer of teens with driver error contributing to 87 percent of teen accidents," said Rhonda Young, an Allstate agent in Abilene.
"By raising awareness about the dangers of distractions through Roadwatch, Allstate and our teen volunteers hope to save lives."
Distracting Data
(Source: Allstate)
Behavior-Frequency Observed
Talking on cell phone 293
Turning on radio/high radio volume 247
Passengers distracting driver 232
Text messaging 147
Eating or drinking 95
Other distractions 91
Putting on makeup 19
The survey was conducted in Waco, Abilene, Amarillo, Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas-Fort Worth, El Paso, Lubbock, San Antonio and Victoria.
