N.J. Survey: Over 60% of Young Drivers Say They’ve Texted While Driving

New Jersey auto insurance group Plymouth Rock Assurance released the results of a distracted driving study that found 61 percent of young drivers surveyed in New Jersey acknowledged having sent text messages while driving.

The survey also found 73 percent of the respondents had seen a friend texting while driving, and 70 percent had seen a friend using a phone without hands-free technology while driving.

This poll, conducted using online survey provider Cvent, consisted of 1,000 consumers with valid New Jersey drivers’ licenses between the ages of 17 through 25 who operate a vehicle at least once per week. The source of the online sample was ResearchNow, a market research company.

The majority of respondents acknowledged having texted while driving, but nonetheless, the survey also found that young drivers recognized the danger and cited texting while driving as one of the biggest safety problems on New Jersey’s roads.

The survey suggests some of the young drivers may be taking a cue from their parents. It found 25 percent of young drivers have seen a parent texting while driving and 57 percent have witnessed a parent using a phone without hands-free technology. Some 10 percent of respondents also said they have seen drunk driving by their parents.

“Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous issues currently affecting our roadways,” said Gerry Wilson, CEO of Plymouth Rock Management Company of New Jersey. “Years ago, motorists demanded an end to drunk driving. Our research demonstrates that even younger drivers are acknowledging that we must put an end to distracted driving,” he said.

Topics Trends Personal Auto New Jersey