Children learn many of their behaviors from their parents, and this is especially true when it comes to driving habits. A recent study found this to be the case, even if parents educated their children about the dangers of distractions and the importance of practicing safe habits behind the wheel.

Researchers from Toyota and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute conducted phone surveys with more than 5,500 young drivers and their parents. They found that kids are far more likely to be influenced by what they think their parents do while driving than what parents tell their kids they do. For example, when a teen driver thinks his parents eat or drink while driving, he is 3.4 times more likely to do so as well. Young drivers whose parents have reported eating or drinking behind the wheel are 2.2 times more likely to snack while operating a vehicle.

Even if parents do not engage in risky behaviors, or do so infrequently, teens are still apt to assume their parents are doing these things. Approximately 71 percent of teens think their parents read directions while driving, while only about 55 percent admitted to doing so.

"Children look to their parents for a model of what is acceptable," said Dr. Ray Bingham, research professor at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute and head of the Young Driver Behavior and Injury Prevention Group. "Parents should know that every time they get behind the wheel with their child in the car, they are providing a visible example that their child is likely to follow."

In addition to instilling good driving practices in their kids, parents can help keep their youngsters safe on the road by putting them behind the wheel of a reliable vehicle. New Jersey State Auto Auction carries a wide selection of makes and models, and each one is CARFAX certified.