(April 27, 2011) NEW YORK — U.S. teens and tweens say their parents are riskier drivers than they claim, according to a new national survey commissioned by Ford. While nearly all parents say they are safe drivers and good role models for their kids, more than half (51 percent) admit their teens and tweens have asked them to slow down, stop talking or texting by hand, or practice other safe driving behaviors.

An even larger number — 80 percent — of teens and tweens have seen their parents engage in risky actions behind the wheel while looking to their elders as driving role models. Meantime, 78 percent of tweens say their mothers and fathers have “a lot of influence” on the way they will drive and 66 percent of teenage drivers say their parents’ actions influence their driving.

“There seems to be a gap between parents saying they drive safely and what their kids observe,” said Sue Cischke, Ford group vice president, Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. “Eating, reading and hand-held texting are bad habits that teens and tweens pick up. Ford continues to be part of the solution by expanding our teen safe driving education program and in-vehicle technologies that help improve safe driving behavior.”

Other key findings from the new survey:

   • 82 percent of parents expressed interest in enrolling their child in a safe driver training program, yet less than 20 percent currently do
    • With many schools outsourcing driver education programs nationwide, 83 percent of parents who have seen such cuts express concern
    • Parents rank more comprehensive driver education programs as the top way to improve safety while teens prioritize new technologies such as voice-controlled, hands-free connectivity systems

“Open communication with your child is vital as they are reaching the driving age,” said family communications expert Dr. Charles Sophy. “First, set a positive example or they won’t take you seriously. Then, take time to talk with them about expectations like curfews, driving destinations and speed limits, and do so on a regular basis.

"Encourage them to attend local driving clinics or volunteer with community police departments to see firsthand what happens on the road. This can help empower your youngsters to make good decisions.”

According to NHTSA, in 2009 there were more than 2,300 young (age 15 to 20 years) driver fatalities and nearly 200,000 young drivers injured in crashes. While inattention or distraction — such as daydreaming, talking with passengers, eating or hand-held texting — is a factor for 11 percent of all drivers in fatal crashes, it is reported that 16 percent of all drivers younger than 20 involved in fatal crashes were distracted while driving.

The most compelling research shows distractions that take drivers’ eyes away from the road for an extended period of time are a factor in nearly 80 percent of accidents. Ford’s findings show teens most commonly report their parents are distracted by eating or drinking (57 percent), talking or texting on a hand-held phone (42 percent), and other distractions such as grooming (32 percent).