We understand that being a parent is hard work. Parents can be forgiven for occasional mistakes – such  as that time they dropped you on your head as an infant. However, a recent survey conducted by Liberty Mutual reveals that parents are teaching their teens some terrible driving habits, such as texting while driving and driving under the influence.

Here are the surprising results:

• 88% of teens said their parents used a mobile device while at the wheel
• 58% said their parents texted while driving
• 42% said they have asked parents to stop text-messaging while operating a vehicle
• 18% said they have tried to get them to stop driving while high on weed
• 16% said the adults drove with kids in the car after having at least one alcoholic beverage
• 40% of teens who asked their parents to stop risky driving behaviors said their parents either ignore them or justify their actions!

Teens get the #DriveSafe message. They are constantly told not to drink and drive, text and drive, talk and drive, drive distracted, or drive while high. They are barraged with a million messages at school, at driver’s ed, on social media and at home. They are targeted by PR campaigns that create TV commercials, radio commercials, online ads, billboards, publicity stunts and teen-oriented events. However, when they see their own parents ignoring these messages or justifying their own risky behaviors, what are teen drivers expected to think?

Parents are the greatest influence on their children’s driving habits. Whether they know it or not, kids pick up their driving behaviors from mom and dad at a very young age. They notice when they drive with one hand, turn without blinkers, tailgate, speed and run through stop signs. Teenagers whose parents drive recklessly are more likely to be bad drivers themselves. That’s why it’s a shame to see that so many parents are driving distracted, and that any parents are driving while under the influence.

To all you teen drivers out there: forgive your parents… but, keep bugging them about driving safely. Offer to drive after they’ve had a beer. Tell them to pull over and let you drive if that phone call or text message is important. Surprise your folks by being the smart and sober one, and let them learn from your good influence.