New research from the Traffic Injury Research Foundation USA, Inc. (TIRF USA) offers insight into age-related patterns in teen smartphone use, risk perception, and social influences. The survey, conducted in partnership with the National Distracted Driving Coalition (NDDC) with support from State Farm®, gives parents, policymakers, and other stakeholders key information that can help target prevention strategies.

“When it comes to distraction, a key takeaway is that teen perceptions of cognitive risk in particular are not always aligned with real risk. More concerning, relatively limited driving experience can lead to overconfidence because teens dramatically underestimate the amount and types of experience needed to become a safe driver,” says Robyn Robertson, NDDC Chair and President & CEO of TIRF. “These two critical elements are playing out to create a situation in which teens feel confident and distracting behaviors become normalized in a relatively short period of time.”

Read the full press release from TIRF USA.

Access the new report, Youth Distracted Driving Survey

TIRF USA media contact: Karen Bowman, Traffic Injury Research Foundation, Direct: 250-797-0833