Do young motorists who witness their parents’ bad driving habits go on to mimic them? According to a new study, the answer is yes.
The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ), which describes itself as the state’s “peak motoring body”, recently carried out a Young Drivers Survey. The survey suggests that young drivers, including teens, commit the same motoring sins as their parents.
For example, more than half said they’d driven tired or over the speed limit after seeing their parents do so.
RACQ spokesperson Clare Hunter said: “When parents break the rules and drive unsafely, it clearly makes young drivers think they can get away with the same behaviour.
“These are the people young drivers look up to. This is why it’s disappointing to see so many parents setting these bad examples.”
One in four use phones while driving
Worryingly, the study found that a quarter of young drivers who witnessed a parent using a handheld mobile phone while driving had committed the same offence.
“Like speeding and fatigue, distraction is one of the biggest killers on our roads,” Ms Hunter said. “It’s disturbing novice drivers are copying these dangerous behaviours.
“If you’re distracted behind the wheel, you’re wielding a ton of metal blind. That’s not only putting yourself in danger, but everyone else on the road too.”
Ms Hunter urged parents to consider the example they set for their teens.
“Drive how you want your kids to drive,” she said. “And make sure you refresh yourself on the road rules.
“The federal government’s Keys2Drive program also gives young drivers and their parents one free driving lesson. So it’s worth signing up to give your child the best start.”
Ranked: proportion of young drivers who copied their parents’ bad behaviour
- Driving tired – 53.5 per cent of respondents.
- Speeding – 52.7 per cent.
- Using a phone while waiting at lights – 36.1 per cent.
- Driving using a handheld mobile phone – 24.5 per cent.
- Checking social media while driving – 17.6 per cent.
- Running a red light – 15.1 per cent.
- Driving without a seatbelt – 13.5 per cent.
- Drinking some alcohol before driving – 11.4 per cent.
- Driving while over the alcohol limit – 4.4 percent.
