Teens May Increase Auto Insurance Premiums through Dangerous Driving

04/10/2010

Distracted driving is not the only dangerous habit teenagers may partake in this spring.

90% of teens in a recent survey expected their counterparts to drink and drive on prom night, while 79% predicted such behavior after graduation. The survey, which was conducted by Students Against Drunk Driving and a Boston-based property and casualty insurer, gauged attitudes from 2,500 eleventh and twelfth graders.

Less than one-third of respondents said such activity was highly dangerous.

"Newspapers, television, YouTube and Facebook are rife with tales of tragedy from reckless driving on prom and graduation nights, yet an 'it won't happen to me' attitude continues to be so pervasive among our teens," said Dave Melton, a driving safety expert.

Parents may be able to discourage this habit by discussing safe driving with their teenagers. They can also avoid being enablers. According to the survey, one-third of parents allowed their teenagers to attend parties where they knew alcohol was being served, while 14% hosted such gatherings.

Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations showed that the number of underage drivers involved in fatal accidents increased from 23.1% in 1996 to 24.1% in 2007. However, data frm the National Roadside Survey indicates a decrease in such incidents during that time.

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