AAA recently conducted its first in-car camera video study to measure the driving habits of young drivers. The study, Driving Among Newly Licensed Teen Drivers, reveals that teenager girls are more distracted while driving than their male counterparts. Compared to teenage boys, while driving, teenage girls were shown to be:
- 50% more likely to use a cell phone or electronic device
- 50% as likely to reach for an object inside the car
- 25% more likely to consume food or beverages
Boys however were 50% more likely to turn around in their seats than their female counterparts.
What this study shows us is that while teenage boys and teenage girls exhibit different behaviors, they are all exhibiting similar behaviors. They’re all driving distracted.
This behavior became worse as the amount of teens in the car increased. In AAA’s study, when young passengers were in the car, distractions increased through loud conversations and horseplay in more than 50% of the observed situations.
On the other hand, the distractions decreased and the young drivers were more focused when an adult was present in the car.
For more information, please visit: www.TeenDriving.AAA.com
