Children and teenagers are growing up with smartphones like no other generation that’s come before them. In fact, cell phones weren’t even a thought when baby boomers were learning how to drive. Today, it’s rare to see someone walking down the street who isn’t staring at his or her screen or rapidly scrolling through his or her Facebook wall. And even though adolescents know they’re not supposed to text while driving, browse Twitter, or play YouTube videos, a recent State Farm study says they still do it anyway.
The October 2016 report found that 80 percent of adolescents use their smartphones while they’re driving. The study also found that American teenagers 16 to 19 years old, preoccupied with their phones while behind the wheel, are more likely to speed, drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or participate in other driving hazards like not wearing a seatbelt.
In July 2016, State Farm began collecting data for the survey. What they found was a significant connection between admitted smartphone use while driving and self-reported car crashes.
Read more about the study, here.
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