A recently released survey conducted by the Allstate Foundation in 2009 reveals that attitudes are shifting among teen drivers. Girls now report they're more likely to to drive aggressively and speed than boys.
Today's teen drivers say their biggest distraction in driving is... texting.
Among the findings:
• 16% of girls describe their driving as aggressive, up from 9% in 2005
• 13% of boys describe their driving as aggressive, down from 20% in 2005
• Nearly half (48%) of girls admit they are likely to speed more than 10 m.p.h. over the limit, versus 36% of boys
• More than 49% of teens report texting as a distraction, up from 31% in 2005
• 82% of teens report using cell phones while driving, while 23% admit to drinking and driving
• 51% of girls are likely to use a cell phone to talk, text or email while driving, versus 38% of boys
Historically, teen boy drivers have paid higher rates for insurance than girls. Will the changes in reported attitudes and behaviors result in parents paying more to insure their teen girls? It's probably too early to tell as rates are largely set by accident claim demographics. But if increased aggressive driving and speeding among teen girls results in more accidents, then it is likely that their insurance rates will begin to climb.
Source: Allstate Foundation