Latest news with #teenDrivers
Forbes
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Teens Use Cell Phones While Driving 21% Of The Time
Teenage drivers have admitted to looking at their cell phones one-fifth of the time when they're behind the wheel, most commonly to be entertained, text or follow a map, a new study published in the Traffic Injury Prevention journal shows. A driver uses a phone while behind the wheel of a car. Getty Images A survey of more than 1,100 teens from across the country saw participants admit to spending an average of 21% of each trip using their phones while driving. Of those instances, more than a quarter lasted two seconds or longer, participants reported, which significantly increases the risk of a crash or near crash, according to a 2014 study. Teens said driving distracted allows them to be entertained or productive while on the road, and that they're more likely to use their phones behind the wheel when they haven't gotten enough sleep. Most participants said they understand that distracted driving is dangerous and that their parents would rather they not, but they said their friends are also using their phones behind the wheel. Get Forbes Breaking News Text Alerts: We're launching text message alerts so you'll always know the biggest stories shaping the day's headlines. Text 'Alerts' to (201) 335-0739 or sign up here : 235. That's how many people were killed in crashes involving distracted drivers between the ages of 15 and 19 in 2022, according to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Teen Driver Source. Distracted driving was blamed for the deaths of 3,275 people in 2023—about 9 deaths per day on average—according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. All but one state, Montana, has legally banned texting while behind the wheel for all drivers and, as of December, 35 states have illegalized all types of phone use among young drivers. Despite the restrictions, one 2023 poll found that while 97% of teen drivers agree texting and driving is dangerous, 43% admitted to doing it anyway. Further Reading Forbes Teens Teaming With Teens To Create A Better World By Kate Vitasek Forbes American Teens Experience Enormous Pressures Related To Mental Health, New Study Finds By Omer Awan
CNET
03-07-2025
- Health
- CNET
Scary Survey Results: Teen Drivers Are Often Looking at Their Phones
A new study reveals that teen drivers in the US are spending more than one-fifth of their driving time distracted by their phones, with many glances lasting long enough to significantly raise the risk of a crash. Published in the journal Traffic Injury Prevention and released on Thursday, the research found that, on average, teens reported looking at their phones during 21.1% of every driving trip. More than a quarter of those distractions lasted two seconds or longer, which is an amount of time widely recognized as dangerous at highway speeds. Most distractions tied to entertainment, not emergencies The top reason teens said they reached for their phones behind the wheel was for entertainment, cited by 65% of respondents. Texting (40%) and navigation (30%) were also common. Researchers emphasized that these distractions weren't typically urgent, but rather habitual or social. Teens know the risks The study includes survey responses from 1,126 teen drivers across all four US regions, along with in-depth interviews with a smaller group of high schoolers. Most participants recognized that distracted driving is unsafe and believed their parents and peers disapproved of the behavior. But many teens also assumed that their friends were doing it anyway, pointing to a disconnect between personal values and perceived social norms. Teens think they can resist distractions Interestingly, most teens expressed confidence in their ability to resist distractions. That belief, researchers suggest, could make it harder to change behavior unless future safety campaigns specifically target these attitudes. The study's lead author, Dr. Rebecca Robbins of Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital, said interventions should aim to shift social norms while also emphasizing practical steps, such as enabling "Do Not Disturb" mode and physically separating drivers from their devices. "Distracted driving is a serious public health threat and particularly concerning among young drivers," Robbins said. "Driving distracted doesn't just put the driver at risk of injury or death, it puts everyone else on the road in danger of an accident." What this means for parents and educators The researchers say their findings can help guide educators and parents in developing more persuasive messaging about the dangers of distracted driving. One of the recommendations is that adults need to counter teens' beliefs that phone use while driving is productive or harmless. While the study's qualitative component was limited by a small and non-urban sample, the authors believe the 38-question survey they developed can be used more broadly to assess beliefs, behaviors and the effectiveness of future safety efforts.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Teen Drivers Behind the Wheel? Here's How Parents Can Actually Get Through to Them
Handing over the car keys to a teenager can be a proud moment, but let's be honest, it's also a nerve-wracking one. If you've got a new driver at home, chances are you've spent time worrying about speeding, distracted driving, or the group of friends fighting to ride shotgun. But here's the thing: while parental lectures often go in one ear and out the other, new research suggests that conversations about safe driving do have a lasting impact when handled the right way. Ahead of summer, a season known for a spike in teen driving accidents, safety experts are urging parents to open the dialogue. A recent campaign, supported by Ford's Driving Skills for Life program and the Governors Highway Safety Association, offers five smart strategies to help parents connect with their teen drivers and, hopefully, keep them safer on the road. According to the experts, driving safety isn't a one-and-done talk; it's actually a series of ongoing conversations. Start before your teen gets their permit, and continue well into their first year of solo driving. The more normal you make it to talk about driving risks and good habits, the more likely they are to absorb it. Yes, your teen is watching when you speed through that yellow light or check your phone at a red. In fact, studies show that parents' driving behaviors have a major influence on their kids' habits behind the wheel. If you want your teen to drive safely, your own driving should match the message. Creating household rules about curfews, passenger limits, and phone use can go a long way. But be prepared to explain why these rules matter. For example, letting them know that having just one peer in the car doubles their crash risk makes the rule about no friends during the first few months feel less random and more rooted in real data. Teens are more likely to respond to real-life examples than blanket warnings. Instead of just saying 'don't text and drive,' share actual stories of local accidents or near-misses, things that hit closer to home and feel tangible. It's simple, but often overlooked: more time behind the wheel with a calm parent builds skill and confidence. Just because your teen passed their test doesn't mean they're ready for every scenario. Weather changes, highway merges, nighttime driving — these are the areas where extra supervised practice really matters. Safe teen driving isn't just about passing a test or obeying the speed limit, but actually it's about consistent communication and real-world preparation. As the summer driving season heats up, parents have an opportunity (and a responsibility) to shape the kind of driver their teen becomes. And it starts with how you talk, not just how you drive. So the next time you hand over the keys, take a breath and just start the conversation. It just might be the most important one you have all summer.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The 4 Car Brands Safest for Teen Drivers in 2025
Teenage drivers are still learning the rules of the road. As a parent, safety is likely your top priority, and choosing the right car for your child is a huge part of that. It might be tempting to give them a free used car from a family member or a cheap clunker, but these might not be the safest options. You can't put a price on your new driver's well-being, so it's important to choose one of the safest car brands for teen drivers. Find Out: Read Next: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and Consumer Reports (CR) teamed up to create a list of the safest brand-new vehicles for teen drivers. Top brands included on the list were Mazda (six vehicles), Hyundai (five vehicles), Honda (four vehicles) and Subaru (three vehicles). Keep reading to learn which specific models from each of these brands made the list, with prices sourced from Kelley Blue Book. Starting price: $25,400 If you'd rather buy pre-owned, the 2022 Honda Civic sedan and newer models made the IIHS and CR list for best choices of used vehicles for teens. Starting price: $25,650 Also worth noting, preowned Mazda3 hatchback models from 2019 and newer made the list of best used vehicle choices for teens. See More: Starting price: $25,335 Probably not a surprise, Mazda 3 sedans from 2020 and up are on the list of best used vehicles for teens. Starting price: $29,445 Also on the list of best used cars for teens is Honda Accord models from 2021 and beyond. Starting price: $39,045 Starting price: $26,795 Starting price: $43,975 Starting price: $26,000 Another option, 2018 and newer models of the Hyundai Kona made the list of good choices of used cars for teens. Starting price: $30,155 A more affordable option, Hyundai Tucson models from 2022 and up made the list of best choices of used small SUVs for teens. Starting price: $26,615 Worth noting, 2022 and newer models of the Mazda CX-30 are on the list of best choices for teens seeking a used small SUV. Starting price: $31,920 Starting price: $31,415 You might also consider a 2019 or newer Subaru Forester, as it made the list of best used small SUVs for teens. Starting price: $39,915 Starting price: $41,650 If you're in the market for a used midsize SUV, 2019 and newer Honda Pilot models made the best choice for teens list. Starting price: $35,775 Noted on the list of good choices for teen drivers, a 2017 or newer — built after March 2016 — used Hyundai Santa Fe could also be an option. Starting price: $41,900 Starting price: $39,500 Starting price: $41,415 To save money, you might also opt for a 2021 or newer Subaru Ascent, which made the list of best used cars for teens. More From GOBankingRates 3 Luxury SUVs That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Summer 2025 The 10 Most Reliable SUVs of 2025 Warren Buffett: 10 Things Poor People Waste Money On This article originally appeared on The 4 Car Brands Safest for Teen Drivers in 2025
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Kokua Line: How can I check traffic tickets online?
Question : Regarding traffic-ticket scams, it's understandable why some people fall for it because so much government stuff (official ) is done on the phone now (after clicking a text link ). Not everybody knows when someone driving their car gets a ticket—a lot of us share a car. Answer : We've heard plenty of feedback from readers who share their cars with family members and didn't know right away about infractions that occurred when they weren't driving. Several said the proliferation of Division of Motor Vehicles impersonation scams highlights how important it is for everyone who shares a car, including new teenage drivers, to be forthright about real tickets they get and about any texts, emails or phone calls they receive about purported violations—the latter group may be scam attempts. Concealing such threats from the car's owner (generally a parent ) may worsen the situation. As scammers try to trick people into paying nonexistent fines, Hawaii's State Judiciary reminds motorists to use the eCourt Kokua system to check whether they actually have tickets pending. 'Anyone unsure whether they have an unpaid traffic citation should search by first and last name and also by license plate number in eCourt Kokua, the Judiciary's public online case look-up system. People who have been issued citations can check the status of those citations by using the 'case search' function in eCourt Kokua, ' the Judiciary said in a news release Thursday. Access eCourt Kokua via. The Judiciary says people statewide are receiving text messages falsely claiming to be from the DMV and demanding payment for unpaid traffic citations, and we've heard from readers who received emails as well. 'Please know, you will not get texts, calls, or emails about unpaid traffic citations from the state courts or DMV unless you contacted them first either in person, in writing or via phone with a specific question. Generally, all communication from the Judiciary regarding unpaid citations is handled through the U.S. mail, ' the news release said. The city says that anyone who receives such texts should block the sender and delete the text without responding. Q : It's pitch black in the Wilson Tunnel. No lights. Dangerous. What's being done about this ? A : Power to the Wilson Tunnel was turned off Wednesday and is expected to remain out for about two weeks while Hawaiian Electric Co. repairs two damaged overhead transmission circuits in the Koolau mountains, according to the state Department of Transportation. Hawaiian Electric has to de-energize the circuits during the repairs, the DOT said in a news release. The tunnel through the Koolaus, connecting Honolulu and Kaneohe on the Likelike Highway, will remain dark for the duration of the repair work, it said. 'HDOT advises motorists to turn on their lights and proceed with caution when approaching and driving through Wilson Tunnel.' Q : Regarding the COFA funeral fund, what if the deceased was a COFA citizen but their spouse (survivor ) is not ? A : The citizenship requirement applies to the person who died of COVID-19, not to the person seeking reimbursement for funeral expenses, according to We Are Oceania, the 501 (3 )c administering the city program. The nonprofit says on its website that the deceased must be a citizen of a Compacts of Free Association (COFA ) nation, namely the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands or the Republic of Palau, residing in the City and County of Hono lulu, whose death was attributed to COVID-19 or complications from COVID-19. The applicant must be an immediate surviving family member of the deceased, including spouse, parent, child and sibling. Mahalo Recently I experienced a flat tire while I was shopping at a local Walmart. A young man who was parked nearby revealed he was a graduate of Kamehameha Schools and was kind enough to take the time to replace my flat with a spare until I could get to a local tire store. I feel ashamed that I cannot remember his name and am so very late with my sincere mahalo to this wonderful individual, who took the time to assist this elderly kupuna. Your parents must be so proud of you.—Susanne C.------------Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 2-200, Honolulu, HI 96813 ; call 808-529-4773 ; or email.------------
