A new study details the sorts of distractions that put teen drivers – and others – at risk. Pam Moen with AAA Wisconsin said the study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety analyzed distractions in-car video from vehicles which underwent high-g force maneuvers like swerving, sudden acceleration and hard braking. The most common distraction was the use of electronic devices such as cell phones, with teen girls twice as likely to be distracted by those as teen boys. Other distractions are familiar and include grooming, and eating and drinking.
Moen said the study results illustrate a need for a change in driving culture for all motorists. “While they’re driving, that’s all they should be doing,” she said. “They have to discipline themselves not to do those other things that put themselves and others in danger.” The data from the study came from a comprehensive analysis of video from fifty families in North Carolina with novice teen drivers.