Deadly month for teen drivers raises concern about distractions

Nov 10, 2008 (Lubbock Avalanche-Journal - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- ALL | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Simple tasks like changing the radio station and talking to passengers can greatly increase the chance of teen drivers having wrecks.

During the second-deadliest month in Lubbock for teen drivers, experts are urging young motorists to pay attention and cut down on the distractions.

"They are less experienced -- they don't know what to look for all the time, so they don't see a hazard that you and I might see," said Kirby Huffman, a student driving instructor with the Lubbock Driving School. "It doesn't take but just a second and they're in trouble."

Allstate conducted a local experiment in September and found 48 Lubbock teen drivers were distracted while leaving their local high school on one afternoon.

The insurance company asked several student volunteers to watch their peers leave the campus the afternoon of Sept. 18. This is what the students observed and reported:

--Passenger distraction: 18

--Changing radio: 16

--Talking on cell phone: 11

--Putting on make-up: 2

--Eating / drinking: 1

Kristen Beaman, Allstate spokeswoman, said simple activities such as talking on a cell phone or switching radio stations can significantly impair a teen's ability to react quickly to changing traffic conditions.

"Driver error contributes to about 87 percent of all teen accidents," she said.

Statewide, the Allstate study found 1,124 distracted teen drivers leaving 20 schools on the one afternoon. The top distraction statewide was talking on a cell phone.

"The cell phones and text messaging are really big," said Huffman, who has been teaching students to drive for about eight years.

Another major concern is teen drivers having teen passengers.

"The more you add, the higher chance you have of getting into a wreck," Huffman said, adding the chance of a wreck spikes more than 50 percent higher when there are two extra teens in the car.

"You've got to keep your eyes on the road," Huffman said. "If they look off one time, they can have somebody in their trunk or in their side... . It's scary, it's dangerous out there."

Beaman said parents can make a difference in their teen's driving by setting a good example.

"Parents are the No. 1 influence on their teens," she said. "Think about your own behavior -- they tend to model it, whether you think it or not."

To comment on this story:

robin.pyle@lubbockonline.com 766-8742

Tips for teens

--Remember the road: Think before dialing and driving. In a recent survey, more than 55 percent of teens say they make and answer cell phone calls while driving.

--Parents matter: 89 percent of teens said their parents are influential in encouraging safer driving.

Source: Allstate Insurance Co.

--Don't be a multi-tasking motorist: Make adjustments to things like mirrors and the radio before putting the car in drive. Also, plan your day accordingly so that driving time is not meal time.

--Be aware of backseat dangers: Limit the number of passengers in the car. A recent study shows 44 percent of teens said they drive more safely without friends in the car.

--Speak up: 70 percent of teens have felt unsafe when someone else was driving, but only 45 percent said they would speak up if someone was driving in a way that made them scared or uncomfortable.

--Parents matter: 89 percent of teens said their parents are influential in encouraging safer driving.

Source: Allstate Insurance Co.

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