Survey shows Colorado teens text while driving

Denver, Nov. 13-Fifty-one percent of Colorado teenagers admitted to sending or receiving text messages while driving and 66 percent admitted to talking on their cell phone while driving, according to a survey conducted by the Colorado State Patrol, the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association, the Colorado Department of Transportation and AAA.

The Colorado figures are much higher than those found in a recent AAA national survey, where the rates were 46 percent (texting) and 51 percent (talking).

AAA Colorado offered the web survey to Colorado teenagers between Aug. 20 and Sept. 21. Four hundred and sixty Colorado teens from 84 different cities statewide responded to the survey, which also quizzed teens about their driving habits and knowledge of current state laws regarding cell phone use while driving.

Other key results include: 97 percent of Colorado teens believe text messaging while driving is dangerous. 81 percent of teen survey respondents believe there should be some legal limitation on cell phone use (including text messaging) while driving. 74 percent of Colorado teens surveyed admitted not knowing traffic lawsfor cell phone use in Colorado. 73 percent of teens said strict driving penalties (such as losing their license) would make them less likely to text message while driving. 38 percent of Colorado teens surveyed admitted to taking their eyes off the road when texting while driving.

"Hopefully, the results of this survey will raise awareness of the problem of teen cell phone use while driving, and encourage parents to discuss this important issue and set a good example," said Wave Dreher, Traffic Safety Specialist with AAA Colorado.

AAA Colorado wanted to find out how Colorado teens compared to the national study and learn more about their perspectives and behaviors on cell phones and driving. By doing so, AAA Colorado hopes to create better, more effective educational messages that will have the greatest
impact on teen driving behavior.

A complete list of survey questions and results, as well as tips from AAA for parents on supervising teen cell phone use, is available on the Internet at www.aaa.com/teens. This website also lists some eye-opening anonymous comments left by teens who took the survey.

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), Colorado State Patrol (CSP) and the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association (RMIIA) partnered with AAA Colorado to support the planning and publicity to generate teenage respondents.

"The survey confirms that teens are less likely to text message while driving if they know there are consequences, such as losing their license and insurance," says Carole Walker, Executive Director of RMIIA. "Teens already pay the highest insurance rates and they need coverage to drive legally, so we are sending a message that one ticket or an accident caused by texting may make driving unaffordable or even off limits. "

"Our message to new drivers is very simple," said Colonel Mark Trostel, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. "Just drive. Driving is a responsibility that requires your full attention. If you need to send a message or make a phone call, pull over and stop in a safe place and then send your message. And, remember to always buckle up yourself and your passengers."

The Colorado Department of Transportation also has a website devoted to teen driving safety issues and information at www.coteendriver.com. The CDOT website also has a parent-teen driver agreement which according to
CDOT, can be beneficial for parents trying to educate their teenage drivers on traffic safety.

"One thing parents can do to help keep their teen driver safe is to talkwith them about safe driving habits and listen to their concerns and questions," said Pam Hutton, CDOT Governor's representative for highway safety. "Ask them to join you in signing a parent-teen driving agreement. When information on the law, family rules, and consequences are written and agreed upon by parents and teens, young drivers are less likely to be involved in risky driving situations."

AAA Colorado has more than 500,000 members in Colorado and is an advocate for safety and security for all travelers. As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 50 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services, as well as member-exclusive savings. AAA can be visited on the Internet at www.aaa.com.

Colorado State Patrol Bear Kay
public affairs