how distracted are teen drivers ... and their moms? a blogher poll

Teens, Mobile Tech, and Safe Driving BlogHer Poll June 2014

What do mothers of teens who drive really think of…

•  #1 fear moms surveyed have for our teens? (Hint: It’s no longer a drunk driver)

•  Are teens safer with or without mobile phones in the car?

•  How far do moms say laws against texting while driving should go?

•  What “house rules” do moms have for teens who drive with mobile phones?

•  What rules moms say we follow in the car – and what rules do we break?

•  What’s the one thing few moms say they ever do in the car…

•  What’s THE thing moms don’t want to stop doing that distracts driving?

Source: BlogHer Poll: Teens, Mobile Tech, and Safe Driving, n=50 mothers of teens, June 2, 2014

#1 fear: Teen driver will be hit by a distracted driver 26% #2 fear: Teen driver will be hit by a drunk driver 22% #3 fear: Mobile phone use will distract my teen driver 20%

3 Source: BlogHer Poll: Teens, Mobile Tech, and Safe Driving, n=50 mothers of teens, June 2, 2014

More moms think teens are safer… Without a mobile phone: 45% (With: 36%)


Yes, driving while distracted should be a misdemeanor For teens too: 54% (No: 35%)


Do moms have rules for teen drivers? 75% have rules about talking and texting

“You don't touch your phone. Ever.”

“Absolutely no using cell phones for anything while driving. Pull over and park if you need to use your phone for something.”

“NO TEXTING EVER while the car is moving!!”

“My newly permitted driver knows she is not allowed to talk or text while driving - and obviously, taking 'selfless' is a big NO-NO.”

“Only phone calls to us (parents) using a hands-free.”


Do moms have rules for ourselves? Yes! #1 Answer from Moms about distracted driving? “NEVER” Percentage of moms surveyed who selected “NEVER” when asked whether we use our mobile devices while driving:

…to dial and talk on calls without a hands-free device 32% ...to dial and talk on calls with a hands-free device 47%

…as a GPS or map without a hands-free device 45% …as a GPS or map with a hands-free device 57%

…to access websites 73%

…Reading texts 45% …Writing texts 67%

…Taking photos or videos of others inside or outside the car 78% …Taking photos or videos of yourself 88%

…Reading Tweets, Facebook, Instagram or other social apps 71% …Writing Tweets, Facebook posts, posting Instagram photos 84% 7

Moms who talk on mobile phones with hands-free devices… 24% while driving with our kids in the car 18% while driving alone in the car #1 answer: “Never”: 47%


Moms use GPS while driving with our kids in the car: 27% use GPS with hands-free 24% use our mobiles as maps without hands-free #1 answer: “Never”


Moms who read texts while stopped at a light 29% while driving alone 18% while driving with our kids #1 answer: “Never” 45%


Moms who text while stopped at a light: 13% without our kids 10% with our kids #1 answer: “Never” 67%


Moms who go online while stopped at a light: 16% with our kids in the car 6% without our kids in the car #1 answer: “Never” 72%


Moms who read social media while stopped at a light 12% without our kids 10% with our kids #1 answer: “Never” 71%


Moms who eat in the car… 61% with our kids 16% without our kids “Never”: 6%


Would you sign the Safe Driving Pledge?

#1 answer: “Yes, because as a parent I need to set a good example for my kids.”

A very frequent answer: “I would if drinking and eating were not included!”

One interesting sidebar on pressures on modern drivers: “I have a long commute and often must take conference calls for work. Hands-free cell-phone use is legal in my state, and I don't know if I could commit to this from a practical standpoint. Barring that, I totally would sign it.”


When mobile phones help drivers

An interesting testimonial:

“About a month ago, my teen and I were on the way to school. Usually I let him drive (our state requires 50 hours of supervised driving before you can take the behind-the-wheel test) but that morning I decided to get behind the wheel.

“Maybe a mile from home we witnessed a rollover crash! He was amazed that I kept my cool and told him to dial 911. I talked him through the call, reminding him where we were and to tell the dispatcher about the FLAMES coming from the bottom of the vehicle that had crashed.

“I was glad we had cell phones, and glad we played a small part in getting firemen and paramedics to the scene.”

16

our kids in the ca

Source: BlogHer Poll: Teens, Mobile Tech, and Safe Driving, n=50 mothers of teens, June 2, 2014

#1 thing a vast majority of moms say we never do: 84% “Never” apply make-up in the car


18

Lisa Stone

Co-founder | CEO

[email protected]

What’s the secret to user advocacy? Ask, don’t tell.

THANK YOU

18

APPENDIX

BlogHer Survey: More responses

20

21



22


23


24

how distracted are teen drivers ... and their moms? a blogher poll

Technology