Young Drivers Survey Results

Florida StatisticsApril 2012

Teens Drive Smart Survey• Road Map:

– Research Purpose & Methodology– Summary– Detailed Findings– How Dangerous Is….?– How Distracting Is….?– How Often Do You Engage In….?– Bottom Line

Teens Drive Smart Survey• Research Purpose:

Bridgestone Americas, Inc., working through DVL, wished to develop and execute a survey to help them better understand the driving habits and behaviors of young drivers (ages 15 to 21). Of particular importance here is the issue of distracted driving, understanding how these young drivers view the issue and how frequently they engage in distracted driving.

Teens Drive Smart Survey• Research Methodology:

Two approaches were considered – a phone survey or an online survey. While phone surveys are a long-accepted research methodology, 18- to 21-year-olds are the most likely segment to not have a landline, and 16- to 17-year olds are notoriously difficult to reach (plus we must gain parental approval to speak with them). This younger age group is generally more inclined to prefer electronic communication. Most importantly, it seems ethically questionable – if not reckless – to conduct a survey about distracted driving over the phone, knowing that a certain percentage of these participants may, in fact, be driving distracted as they take the phone survey.

Teens Drive Smart Survey• Research Methodology:

Therefore, Prince Market Research recommended an online survey approach with a sample size of 2,000 respondents drawn from an online sample provided by a reputable online panel company.

The survey was fielded during March 12 – 19, 2012, garnering 2,012 completed responses, for an overall margin of error of ± 2.2%.

Teens Drive Smart Survey• Research Sample for Texas:

TEENS DRIVE SMART VIDEO CONTEST MEDIA RELATIONS•Memorial Day Plan

Gender

• Female – 55%• Male – 45%

Age

• Under 16 – 9%• 16 to 17 – 31%• 18 to 19 – 18%• 20 to 21 – 42%

Total Number of Respondents

• 100

Young Drivers Survey Summary

Florida StatisticsApril 2012

Teens Drive Smart SurveySummary of Findings:• 75% of these respondents believe they are “very safe”; but only about

60% say their parents would agree with that assessment.

• Florida teens believe they are safe because they pay attention and follow the rules, but they also attribute it to the fact that they have not had an accident or received a ticket.

• These respondents admit that they are inexperienced drivers and that they do not always obey the rules.

• Florida teens readily acknowledge that driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is very dangerous. They view typing a text as less dangerous than driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but slightly more dangerous than driving without wearing a seatbelt.

• Only a third of the respondents believe that talking on the phone while driving is very dangerous.

Teens Drive Smart SurveySummary of Findings:• Alcohol tops the list of distracters, followed closely by texting while

driving (both typing and reading). Eating, drinking (non-alcoholic drinks), and playing music in the car are seen as much less distracting activities to these teens.

• For the most part, teens seem to be minimizing the time they spend engaging in activities they deem as most distracting, but they are by no means abstaining. 25% of respondents admit to reading and typing text messages at least occasionally while driving.

• Many of these respondents are in denial about their distracted driving tendencies and do not believe they are truly at risk.

Teens Drive Smart Survey• 40% of respondents believe there is a law against texting

while driving in Florida or aren’t sure, yet 25% of them

admit to texting and driving.

16%

60%

24%

Is texting and driving against the law in Florida?

YesNoDon't Know

Young Drivers Survey Detailed Findings

Florida StatisticsApril 2012

Teens Drive Smart Survey• Texas teen drivers perceive themselves to be much safer

than their parents would likely rate them. Do you think Would your Would you

you are… parents tell say your

us you are…. parents are:

75%

24%

1%

60%

38%

2%

68%

30%

2%

A Very Safe Driver A Somewhat Safe Driver Not a Very Safe Driver

Teens Drive Smart SurveyWhy do you think you’re a very safe driver?• I always wear seatbelts. I drive the posted speed limit. I am a defensive

driver.

• I practice very good driving habits.

• I follow speed limits and don’t drive crazy.

• Never had an accident, never been pulled over, never a ticket and always cautious and protective.

• Cautious.

• I just am.

Teens Drive Smart SurveyWhy do you think you’re a somewhat safe or

not a safe driver?• I still make some mistakes.

• Because I don’t have much experience driving.

• Sometimes I don’t pay attention.

• I got in a car accident a couple of months ago. I can’t speak that highly of my driving skills.

• I take a few risks.

Teens Drive Smart SurveyWhen asked to rate their parents driving –68% of respondents considered their parents very safe drivers, but admitted their Mom or Dad were often distracted behind the wheel.

• Drives fast.

• Never been in an accident that was their fault.

• They sometimes drive fast.

• My mom occasionally texts while she drives.

• When they get angry, they tend to speed.

• Stops abruptly and has had several accidents and tickets.

Teens Drive Smart Survey• Overall, respondents view texting as less dangerous than

driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, but slightly more dangerous than not wearing a seat belt.

How safe or dangerous is….?

Driving While Under the Influence of Alcohol

Driving While Under the Influence of Drugs

Driver That is Typing a Text While Driving

Driver That is Reading a Text While Driving

92%

90%

88%

73%

2%

4%

7%

20%

Relatively Dangerous 2

Teens Drive Smart Survey• Other things like talking on the phone or changing music

in the car is seen by this group as less distracting.

How safe or dangerous is….?

Driving While Under the Influence of Mar-ijuana

Not Wearing a Seat Belt

Driver That is Talking on the Phone While Driving

Changing Music Selection While Driving

81%

71%

30%

10%

7%

23%

44%

34%

Somewhat Dangerous 2

Teens Drive Smart Survey• Alcohol tops the list of distracters, followed closely by

texting while driving (both typing and reading). Eating, drinking and playing music in the car are seen as much less distracting activities to these teens.

How distracting is….?

When I Am Driving Under the In-fluence of Alcohol

When I Am Typing a Text While Driving

When I Am Reading a Text While Driving

When I Am Eating While Driving

87%

83%

69%

23%

8%

14%

29%

65%

Somewhat Distracting 2

Teens Drive Smart Survey• For the most part, teens seem to be minimizing the time

they spend engaging in activities they deem as most distracting, but they are not abstaining.

When you are driving, how often do you engage in…

Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol

Typing a Text

Reading a Text

Eating

1%

1%

1%

1%

2%

6%

6%

6%

16%

25%

43%

Almost All The TimeAbout Half the TimeOccasionally

Young Drivers Survey Bottom Line

Florida StatisticsApril 2012

Teens Drive Smart Survey• Many respondents are in denial about their distracted

driving tendencies and do not believe they are truly at risk.

Given that driving while distracted can be dangerous, why do you do it?

• 71% -- I take extra precautions to make sure I don’t get too distracted• 52% -- I don’t believe I get too distracted while driving• 17% -- I do it all the time and nothing has happened• 13% -- I think I’m a much safer driver than everyone else• 10% -- My parents do it• 10% -- Everyone else does it• 3% -- I don’t believe driving while distracted is really dangerous