Teen Drivers Are Even More Distracted At The Wheel: Here's Why

Statistics show that car insurance is oftentimes higher among younger drivers, which might explain why providers make it so much more costly for those new to the road. 

A new study conducted by researchers at Oregon State University examined how these drivers were always busy fussing with their cell phone, texting or doing anything but focusing on what was ahead. 

"Based on recent studies, anything that takes your attention away, any glance away from the road for two seconds or longer can increase the risk of an accident from four to 24 times," said David Hurwitz, an assistant professor of transportation engineering in the College of Engineering at Oregon State University, and corresponding author of the study, in a news release.

"This is a dramatic increase in risk, with inexperienced drivers who are least able to handle it," he said. "The absolute worst is texting on a cell phone, which is a whole group of distractions. With texting, you're doing something besides driving, thinking about something besides driving, and looking at the wrong thing."

The findings showed how 27 percent of involved participants actually changed their clothes when driving, while some even did homework. Furthermore, the findings also noted how using a hands-free phone not necessarily safer. It was still a distraction that prevented younger drivers from focusing their main attention on driving safely.

"Young people learn better when they are involved in the process, not just sitting and listening to a lecture," Hurwitz added, noting how teens who interacting in presentations offered via a classroom auditorium setting learned greater awareness than those who were educated via passive listening.