Teen drivers seen as more reckless with age as fear abates

Parents are encouraged to continue teaching their kids, even after they get licenses. (Photo: iStock)
(Bloomberg) — U.S. teenagers are more reckless after their first few years of driving, often becoming overconfident in their abilities and putting themselves at higher risk for accidents, a new study shows.

More than half of high school seniors have car accidents or near misses, compared with 34% of sophomores, according to the study conducted by Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. and the group Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD).

Related: 5 driving risks you need to talk about with your teens

Misplaced confidence

More people, including “hyper-connected” teenagers, are distracted by their phones while driving, and insurers are seeking to counter reckless behaviors amid an increase in car accidents in recent years.

According to the study, 75% of high school seniors “feel confident” in their driving abilities, and 71% use a phone behind the wheel. The study said the misplaced confidence could stem from parents who taper off punishment for poor driving after their kids have a year or two of practice under their belts.

Related: 10 safe and affordable cars for teen drivers

“Older teens are still inexperienced drivers — even if they feel otherwise,” Mike Sample, lead driving-safety consultant at Liberty Mutual, said in the report. “Using an app behind the wheel, even glancing away for a second, can impair your driving ability and set off a chain reaction that could lead to a near miss or crash.”

Phones aren’t the only issue. Driving while drowsy, speeding, having multiple passengers and browsing music become more prevalent as new drivers gain confidence.

Driving behavior

Changing music via phone or app

26% Sophomores
32% Juniors
40% Seniors

Having 3+ passengers

31% Sophomores
35% Juniors
47% Seniors

Speeding

18% Sophomores
23% Juniors
35% Seniors

Driving when drowsy

13% Sophomores
15% Juniors
26% Seniors

Sam Bessette, a 16-year-old from Topeka, Kansas, said she sticks her phone in the cupholder of her 2009 Ford Escape while she drives.

“My mom is very against it,” Bessette said of distracted driving, “despite the fact she uses her phone all the time. But she tells me she’ll take my car.”

Related: 7 back-to-school driving safety tips

Bessette said she’s a “fairly good” driver, and her friends trust her behind the wheel. She was in a fender bender once, when the driver in front of her slammed on his brakes. She said she’d just barely glanced away to change the radio station and didn’t have enough time to react.

Teens naturally gains confidence as they drive more

Dr. Gene Beresin, a senior adviser on adolescent psychiatry at SADD, said teens naturally gain confidence as they drive more.

“As a result, it is even more important for parents and teens to have conversations about safe driving practices to avoid potentially putting themselves and others at risk on the road,” Beresin said in the report.

Related: 10 states with the highest cost of adding a teen to an auto policy

Liberty Mutual, the third-largest U.S. property-casualty insurer, surveyed almost 3,000 teens from high schools across the country and 1,000 parents of young drivers for the study.

The insurer encourages parents to continue teaching their kids, even after they get licenses. Also, adults can use tracking devices that monitor driver habits and reward teens for safety behind the wheel, the Boston-based company said.