Car accidents are the leading killer of teens in the Boston area. Many of these accidents are attributable to driver inexperience and distraction. It appears that another cause of teen texting while driving car accidents may be the example that parents set for their new drivers. A recent survey into the driving habits of parents indicates that over half of parents are distracted by their cellphones while driving and while teaching their kids how to drive.

"It is alarming," said State Farm's director of technology research. "There is a need to remind parents that they are the role models. Whether it's deliberate or not, we're showing these teens what's acceptable in the car."

The survey was conducted by State Farm Insurance Company and indicates that 53 percent of parents admitted to being distracted by their mobile devices while teaching their parents to drive. About 43 percent of parents also admitted to using their cellphones regularly while driving their teen as well.

What is most disturbing about these high numbers is that they may even be understated. About 61 percent of teens said that their parents were distracted while teaching them to drive and 54 percent to teens said that their parents use their mobile phones regularly while driving.

When parents drive while using their phones, children in the car will become complacent to the dangers of texting and driving. This is one of the reasons why Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says that putting the cellphone away while driving is more than common sense and a "life-long lesson for the children in the backseat."

Source: USA Today, "Parents distracted while teaching kids to drive," Larry Copeland, Oct. 17, 2011