New study shows teens report friends and family texting and driving

FROM APP.com:

"Is your teen driving back to school?

Exercise caution. New Jersey auto insurance group, Plymouth Rock Assurance recently released the results of a new distracted driving study providing insights from so-called Digital Natives, the first generation born into a digital world.

The online poll of 1,000 New Jersey-based drivers ages 17 through 25 found 73 percent had witnessed a friend texting while driving and 70 percent had witnessed a friend using a phone without hands-free technology.

The study also revealed that many young drivers are mimicking the behavior of their parents.

According to the results, 25 percent of young drivers have witnessed a parent texting while driving and 57 percent have witnessed a parent using a phone without hands-free technology.

Despite these behaviors, young drivers recognized the danger and cited texting while driving as one of the biggest safety problems on New Jersey’s roads.

According to the survey, 36 percent have attempted to alert the driver of another car to stop texting and 82 percent of respondents believe New Jersey should impose a heavy penalty for texting while driving.

“Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous issues currently affecting our roadways,” said Gerry Wilson, President and CEO of Plymouth Rock Management Company, Red Bank. “Years ago, motorists demanded an end to drunk driving. Our research demonstrates that even younger drivers are acknowledging that we must put an end to distracted driving.”"