Mott Poll finds parents underestimate teen driving risks

Despite the significant prevalence of car crashes in teenagers and young adults, a recent University of Michigan Health C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health found many parents fail to identify a risk among their own children.¹

The poll results highlighted that 1 in 3 parents worry their child could cause an accident while driving, yet most reported a belief that their child drives as well as or better than other young drivers. Additionally, only a few reported imposing consequences to their teenager for unsafe driving behaviors.¹

“Our report suggests a disconnect between parents’ concerns about risky teen driving and their confidence in their own child’s skills behind the wheel,” said Sarah Clark, MPH, director at Mott Poll.¹

Driving habits and frequency

Poll respondents included parents of teenagers and young adults aged 16 to 25 years.² These participants were asked about their children’s driving habits, with 83% reporting that their child drives. This includes 68% saying their child drives as a licensed driver and 12% as a driver in training. Additionally, 64% reported their child drives almost every day.

One in 4 parents reported observing their child engage in distracted driving, including texting in 17% and multitasking in 19%. Seventeen percent reported observing their child driving while impaired, including while sleepy in 10%, while emotionally upset in 9%, and after drinking alcohol or using marijuana in 2% each.²

Aggressive driving behaviors were observed by 44% of participants, including speeding in 41%, tailgating in 12%, and showing road rage in 6%. Overall, at least 1 form of unsafe driving behavior was observed by 51% of parents in their children.²

Eight percent of parents reported distracted, impaired, and aggressive driving all in their child. No differences in the odds of aggressive driving were observed by age group, but those aged 21 to 25 years were more likely to engage in distracted or impaired driving vs those aged 16 to 20 years.²

Parental ratings of driving ability

Only 4% of parents rated their child’s driving ability as worse than average, while 51% rated their child’s ability as average and 43% as better than average. Ratings did not significantly differ between parents who witnessed their child engaging in distracted or impaired driving vs those who did not.²

Additionally, parents who reported their child engaging in aggressive driving were less likely to rate them as worse than average. Overall, 1 in 3 were worried their teenager or young adult’s behavior might lead to an accident, with this concern being more common in parents who rated their child’s driving ability as worse than average.²

Taking steps to address behavior

Parents who observed their child engaging in distracted, impaired, or aggressive driving were also more likely to be worried their driving could cause an accident. Among respondents, 24% reported taking steps to address their child’s driving behavior, including the following²:

• Using a monitoring device, 13%
• Taking away driving privileges, 6%
• Refusing to use their car, 8%
• Threatening to stop paying for car insurance, 6%

These steps were more often taken by parents who observed distracted, impaired, or aggressive driving behaviors in their children. Overall, the data highlighted the importance of a parental role toward teaching children about the nuances of driving and instilling safe driving habits.²

“Parents are often the most influential driving instructors their teens will ever have,” said Clark.¹ “Setting clear expectations, modeling safe driving, and enforcing consequences when needed can make a real difference.”

References

1. National poll: 1 in 3 parents fear their teen or young adult could cause a crash. University of Michigan. March 16, 2026. Accessed March 23, 2026. https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1119629
2. Driving habits of teens and young adults. Mott Poll Report. March 16, 2026. Accessed March 16, 2026. https://mottpoll.org/reports/driving-habits-teens-and-young-adults