A recent report of driving habits released by AAA would seem to reinforce the belief that the younger the driver, the more likely he or she will become an accident statistic.

That's because according to AAA's 2016 Traffic Safety Culture Index, 88 percent of motorists between the ages of 19 and 24 "engage in risky behavior behind the wheel." The study found that age group was more likely than others to speed, text and drive and run red lights.

Previous studies have reached similar conclusions. It shouldn't come as a surprise. This generation learned to text almost as soon as it learned to walk, and since texting while driving makes up the main cause of distracted driving, it's only logical to conclude that these young adults put themselves in harm's way more than other motorists.

But it's not as clear-cut as AAA would have you believe. Its figures reflect driving habits nationwide, which indicate drivers of all ages admit to doing their share of speeding and running red lights.

It's no different in Massachusetts. It's safe to say motorists of all ages should exercise more caution behind the wheel.

That's found in a snapshot of driving behavior reflected in accident data compiled by the Westford Police Department, reported in The Sun on Tuesday. They indicate that while crash reports of those drivers 19 to 25 tended to be the highest, the greatest number of accidents over the last four years involved motorists 46 to 60.

These somewhat contradictory figures probably can be traced back to the state's traffic laws - or lack of.


Since 2010, it's been against the law for junior operators 18 or younger to use their cellphones for any purpose while driving, including texting. However, adult drivers can still use their cellphones, but not for texting and emailing.

A push to ban all hand-held cellphone use while driving has met repeated roadblocks in the state Legislature. The Senate passed a measure in the last legislative session, but like the previous 19 attempts, it failed. It makes Massachusetts the only New England state besides Maine where it's legal to talk on a cellphone while driving.

Of course, hands-free devices like Bluetooth in newer model vehicles let drivers of all ages use cellphones, but texting while driving remains the most dangerous safety risk, simply because some many of us continue to ignore the law.

Why? Because it's almost impossible to detect, which makes it that more difficult to enforce.

Sure, maybe younger drivers do have more distractions, with that stealthy texting and the music cranking, but in Massachusetts - already notorious for its rude, reckless drivers - we could all be more careful behind the wheel.

And wear those seat belts. National statistics put this state near the bottom when it comes to buckling up.