California Teen Drivers Report: Aceable Study Sheds Light on Top Concerns Holding Back New Drivers and Ways to Support Them
Digital-first driver's education platform reveals California teen drivers are hesitant to hit the road, citing anxiety and lack of experience as top concerns
AUSTIN, Texas, April 25, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- New research from Aceable, the leading digital driver's education platform, reveals how Californian teens, according to their own parents, feel about pursuing a driver's license and getting behind the wheel. Aceable's latest study shows that 73% of California parents state their teen is anxious about driving, and of those, 54% say this anxiety is severe enough to qualify as a phobia. However, the data shows that by addressing their concerns and providing them with the necessary education tools and guidance, we can help anxious teens become confident and responsible drivers, ensuring a safer future on the road for everyone.
Aceable's California Teen Drivers report surveyed parents in California who had a teen either considering or has already obtained a driver's license. With teens who are already licensed, 36% of parents report their teens only drive when absolutely necessary due to their lack of confidence and anxiety. Accordingly, 58% of parents living in urban areas say that it is hard to prepare their teens to drive in cities.
"With the proper education and support from parents, California teenagers can gain the confidence necessary to successfully earn their driver's license and maintain safety on the roads, regardless of their surroundings," stated Blake Garrett, CEO and founder of Aceable. "Our mission at Aceable is to cultivate confident, lifelong drivers. By identifying the factors that cause anxiety for young drivers, we can better equip them with the resources they need to remain secure and at ease on the road. This not only benefits the teens but also provides peace of mind to their parents."
Additional Aceable findings about California teen drivers include:
Lack of Confidence Around Different Driving Conditions
When it comes to what makes teens most nervous, over half of respondents agree that encountering potential road hazards and/or navigating unfamiliar areas makes their teens most nervous. Parents in California have stated:
- 53% of teens lack confidence in parallel parking,
- 52% of teens lack confidence in highway/freeway driving,
- And 42% of teens lack confidence with nighttime driving and/or mountain/curved roads
Despite Anxieties, Teens Are Still Attaining a Driver's License
There are a variety of reasons why teens may choose to obtain their license and this impacts the urgency at which teens decide to start driving. The study showed 6 in 10 respondents stated that their teen was or is motivated to drive so that they could get a job, making this the #1 reason why California teens are getting behind the wheel. As for additional destinations:
- 53% of respondents with licensed teens reported that their teen regularly drives to friends' houses,
- 51% said their teen drives themselves to work,
- And 48% said their teen drives themselves to social activities
Supportive and Personalized Drivers Education is Key
While driving can feel daunting for novice drivers, it doesn't have to be impossible. Leveraging driving education resources like Aceable tools is the key to instilling confidence and a safe mindset in teen drivers. According to parents with teens who took driver's ed:
- 94% said it made them a safer driver,
- 83% reported it made them a more confident driver,
- And 87% said it made their teen more prepared for the challenges of driving
Methodology
Aceable's California Teen Drivers Report expands upon their previous nationwide study regarding teen driving anxiety. All findings are based on a survey of more than 600 Californians conducted in February of 2023. Each is a parent of a teen who has either gotten their driver's license within the past 12 months or is currently considering a driver's license. For more information and to read the full report, visit here.
About Aceable
Aceable is a digital education platform built by experts in learning science that provides online drivers education for teens and adults. For more than a decade, Aceable has helped over 2 million students become confident, safe drivers through self-paced, interactive drivers ed and defensive driving courses. Aceable is available in select states like Texas, California, Florida, and more. For more information, visit http://www.aceable.com
Media Contact
Molly Ellis, Kickstand, 3522199848, [email protected]
SOURCE Aceable
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