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SALT LAKE CITY -- A study by AAA suggests experience counts when it comes to driving.
The in-depth study of 50 families with novice teenage drivers in North Carolina found teen drivers in their first month behind the wheel are 50 percent more likely to get in a crash than teens who have been driving for one year.
AAA Foundation President Peter Kissinger said the study also found parents need to spend more time riding along with the young drivers, teaching them how to drive safely.
"The best way [to learn] is to practice, with an engaged parent. Everyone goes through a learning process," Kissinger told ABC News.
Common mistakes among young drivers included:
- Not paying enough attention to the cars around them,
- Failing to yield to other vehicles
- Driving too fast
- Pay attention when you're in the car with your child
- Give teenage drivers strategies for driving intelligently
- Teach defensive driving
- Teach them to avoid "freaking out"
The study showed when parents were asked about their plans for their teens' driving, roughly half reported they wanted them to get "a lot of practice." However, only about one in four mentioned practicing under a variety of situations or road conditions. And, most of the actual driving experience was obtained under relatively benign conditions.
Nearly 70 percent of parents cited the busy schedules of both themselves and their teen as a reason why teens did not spend more time driving.
E-mail: rjeppesen@ksl.com
