The majority of 14-17-year-olds (55%) strongly agree that drinking while driving can be fatal, compared to 36% who strongly believe texting while driving can kill, according to State Farm and Harris Interactive. Similarly, 78% of 14-17-year-olds strongly agree drinking while driving can result in an accident, compared to 63% who agree that texting while driving can cause accidents.
Teens are more likely to feel they can narrowly avoid accidents while texting than while drinking behind the wheel (55% vs. 36%). Notably, teens who have never texted while driving are more likely than those who have texted while driving to feel this behavior can cause an accident (73% vs. 52%).
Teens who talk with their parents about driving are more likely than those who don’t discuss driving issues with their parents to feel texting (67% vs. 56%) and drinking (82% vs. 72%) can result in accidents. [Automotive/Telecommunications]
Sources: Harris Interactive, Alyssa Hall, 161 Sixth Ave., New York, NY 10013; 212-539-9749; ahall@harrisinteractive.com; www.harrisinteractive.com.
State Farm, Laurette Stiles, VP Strategic Resources, One State Farm Plz., Bloomington, IL 61710; 309-766-2311; www.statefarm.com.
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