Steering You Right with Sharon Peters: ‘SADD’ Stats
Q: I heard on TV recently a bunch of tips attributed to something called SAD (at least, that what it sounded like) a group that seems to promote safe driving techniques or behaviors. I Googled and I can’t find anything like that, but would like to because I’m trying to gather some stats for a local program on safe driving.
A: I think what you heard referenced was probably SADD, which stands for Students Against Destructive Decisions.
It was founded in 1981, and its core focus has been traffic safety. Ten years ago, SADD expanded its thrust to cover substance abuse, suicide, bullying, violence, body image and depression, but it has not backed away from the driving safety element.
SADD claims it has 10,000 chapters across the country, and much of the effort is on leadership development – various ways in which students can practice and develop life skills.
SADD linked up with Liberty Mutual Insurance for a study several months ago to tap into teen driving behaviors. Among the findings, based on responses from 2,500 teens with licenses to drive (which SADD shares with all its chapters to underscore to teens the importance of keeping vigilant about traffic safety, and which would no doubt be useful for your purposes):
• 27 percent of teens with licenses admit to texting while driving.
• More than half confessed to using apps some time while they’re driving: 58 percent of them use navigation apps and 46 percent use music apps.
• Although there are passenger restriction laws, 80 percent of teens admitted to having driven with three or more passengers in the car.
• And, quite alarming, 51 percent of teens would not consider calling a parent if they had been drinking and shouldn’t be driving.
Q: We test drove a BMW 540i xDrive and thought it weird that the battery is in the back. Sales guy offered no follow-able explanation. Can you?
A: It’s part of the company’s effort (along with many other techniques) to equalize weight front and back for better performance. A car that’s shoving less weight at the front is easier to steer and is more instantly responsive, BMW folks say.
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Sharon Peters What’s your question? Sharon Peters would like to hear about what’s on your mind when it comes to caring for, driving and repairing your vehicle. Email Sharon@ctwfeatures.com.