Study: Almost 90 Percent of Young Adults Text and Drive

Many people assume teenagers are the main driver of the nation’s growing texting and driving problem, but a new AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety study has found that texting and driving is more prevalent among young adults.

Young millennial drivers between the ages of 19 and 24 are more likely to check their phones for texts while driving than drivers in any other age group, according to the study, which polled 2,500 drivers about dangerous driving habits.

Researchers also found that more than 88.4 percent of drivers ages 19 to 24 admitted to participating in dangerous driving behaviors, including speeding, texting while driving or running red lights.

Only 79.2 percent of drivers between the ages of 25 and 39 reported engaging in the same behaviors, while just 69.3 percent of teenage drivers admitted to engaging in these behaviors behind the wheel.

The AAA study also revealed:

• Drivers ages 19 to 24 were 1.4 times more likely to admit to driving 10 mph over the speed limit in a residential area.
• Almost 12 percent of drivers in this age group said it was okay to drive 10 mph over the speed limit in a school zone.
• Less than five percent of all drivers reported that it was okay to travel at 10 mph over the speed limit in a school zone.
• While over 75 percent of respondents say speeding on freeways is unacceptable, about half said they drove 15 mph over posted speed limits in the past month.
• Nearly all respondents stated drunk driving is a safety threat, though more than one in eight surveyed admitted to driving after drinking in the last year.
• Young millennial drivers between the ages of 19 and 24 are more likely to normalize texting and driving and are less supportive of legislation to eliminate distractions on the road.

The study indicates that young adult drivers view their dangerous driving behaviors as acceptable. This line of thinking puts all at risk on the roads, according to an AAA representative.

If you were injured in a car accident caused by a negligent driver, you could be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The Fort Worth based car accident attorneys of Anderson, Cummings & Drawhorn, LLP will fight to hold negligent drivers liable for the damages they have caused and recover fair compensation for your injuries.

Call (817) 920-9000 or fill out our Free Case Evaluation form today and let a personal injury attorney from our firm review the details of your incident.