Young Drivers Offer New Insights Into Dangerous Distracted Driving Behavior In New Jersey

RED BANK, N.J., Sept. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Car insurance group Plymouth Rock Assurance today released the results of a new distracted driving study providing insights from Digital Natives, the first generation born into a digital world. The online poll of 1,000 New Jersey-based drivers (ages 17–25) found 73 percent had witnessed a friend texting while driving and 70 percent had witnessed a friend using a phone without hands-free technology.

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110628/NY27400LOGO )

The study also revealed that many young drivers are mimicking the behavior of their parents. One in four young drivers polled have witnessed a parent texting while driving and 57 percent have witnessed a parent using a phone without hands-free technology.

Despite these behaviors, young drivers recognized the danger and cited texting while driving as one of the biggest safety problems on New Jersey's roads. Texting while driving has surpassed both drunk driving and aggressive driving as dangerous behaviors, and young drivers have indicated that they do not approve; 36 percent polled have attempted to alert the driver of another car to stop texting and 82 percent of respondents believe the State of New Jersey should impose a heavy penalty for texting while driving–indicating the need for enforcement.

"Distracted driving is one of the most dangerous issues currently affecting our roadways," said Gerry Wilson, President and CEO of Plymouth Rock Management Company of New Jersey. "Years ago, motorists demanded an end to drunk driving. Our research demonstrates that even younger drivers are acknowledging that we must put an end to distracted driving," he added.

Plymouth Rock Assurance is committed to making New Jersey's roads a safer place by exposing the dangers of distracted driving. The company is rallying New Jersey drivers to fight back against irresponsible driving practices and will attempt to set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS^® title for the Most Pledges to a Safety Campaign. The initiative will kick off with an event on Saturday, September 21, at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ. Drivers interested in signing the pledge and helping to set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS^® title can do so by visiting FightDistractedDriving.com.

For more information about Plymouth Rock Assurance, visit PlymouthRockNJ.com, Facebook, or Twitter.

About Plymouth Rock Assurance

Plymouth Rock Assurance is a marketing name used by a group of separate companies that write and manage property and casualty insurance in multiple states. Insurance in New Jersey is offered by Plymouth Rock Management Company of New Jersey on behalf of High Point Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Teachers Auto Insurance Company of New Jersey, Palisades Safety and Insurance Association, and their affiliates. Each company is financially responsible only for its own insurance products. Actual coverage is subject to the language of the policies as issued by each company.

(Full survey tables/methodology available upon request. Please contact Brian M. Lowe/Laurie Pepitone, BML Public Relations, 973-337-6395.)

SOURCE Plymouth Rock Assurance