Teen drivers are acting safer behind the wheel, according to a new study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The government agency recently released a report that indicates high school students are much safer when it comes to driving and riding in cars with other teens behind the wheel than they were 20 years ago.

In 1991, about 26 percent of teens reported rarely or never wearing their seat belts, but this dropped to 8 percent in 2011. There was a significant decline in the percentage of students who rode in cars with inebriated drivers (40 to 24 percent) and in 2011, only 8 percent reported having gotten behind the wheel after drinking alcohol in the 30 days prior to the study compared to 17 percent in 1997.

"We are encouraged that more of today's high school students are choosing healthier, safer behaviors, such as wearing seat belts, and are avoiding behaviors that we know can cause them harm, such as binge drinking or riding with impaired drivers," said Howell Wechsler, director of CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health. "However, these findings also show that despite improvements, there is a continued need for government agencies, community organizations, schools, parents and other community members to work together to address the range of risk behaviors prevalent among our youth."

While students are safer in many regards when it comes to driving, the report found one in three students had texted or talked on the phone in the 30 days leading up to the study. Parents should talk to their kids about the dangers of distracted driving.

Those looking to buy used cars in New Jersey for their teen drivers can find cars with safety options at NJ Auto Auction. Ever vehicle is CARFAX certified, so parents know their teens will be getting behind the wheel of something reliable.