Mott Poll Reveals "Parental Blind Spot" as 96% of Parents Defend Children’s Driving Despite Risky Behaviors

A national poll finds that while half of parents see their children drive unsafely, 96% still believe their child is a better driver than most peers.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 16, 2026, 6:59 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan.

The Paradox of Parental Confidence

Motor vehicle accidents continue to be a leading cause of mortality for teenagers and young adults, yet a new report from the University of Michigan Health suggests that many families may be underestimating the danger. The C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health found that while a third of parents harbor fears that their child might cause an accident, a staggering 96% rate their child’s driving skills as average or superior to others in their age group. This confidence persists even among parents who have personally observed their children engaging in dangerous maneuvers on the road.

Widespread Witnessing of Unsafe Behaviors

The survey, which included 1,780 parents of drivers aged 16 to 25, highlighted that risky driving is far from rare. More than 50% of parents reported seeing at least one unsafe behavior, including:

Aggressive Driving: Nearly half witnessed speeding or tailgating.

Distracted Driving: One in four saw their child texting or multitasking behind the wheel.