Parents Setting Bad Example With Mobile Phones While Driving: QUT

A new Queensland University of Technology study has found parents are setting a poor example when it comes to mobile phone use behind the wheel.

While parents will strongly discourage their children from using a mobile phone while driving, the study found they are unlikely to follow their own advice. 

The university’s Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety Queensland (CARRS-Q) found that young drivers see parents "as hypocrites" when it comes to mobile phone use, and were less likely to take the anti-phone road safety message seriously.

CARRS-Q’s Cassandra Gauld said the use of social media while driving was set to be “the next big distraction facing young drivers”.

"Young drivers perceive their parents as hypocritical when they tell them not to text and drive but do it themselves and that in turn may lead to mixed messages and cloud their beliefs about mobile phone use and driving," Ms Gauld said. 

"We know that some young drivers think staying connected to their friends via their mobile phone is more important than safe driving and obeying the road rules and with the growing popularity of smartphones in Australia, staying connected is becoming even easier."

Young Drivers