FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cindy Gittelsohn
Jericho Communications
212-645-6900 ext. 109
cindy@jerichopr.com

TEENS MOVIE GOERS MAY FIND HUMOR IN LOSING A GUY,
BUT LOSING THEIR CAR CAN BE A REAL DRAG
Survey Finds The Top Ten Reasons Why Parents Take Away A Teen’s Car

MAYFIELD VILLAGE, OHIO – Kate Hudson might have purposely tried to lose Matthew McConaughey in “How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days,” but the last thing teens want to do is lose their freedom – which means losing their “wheels.” According to a survey of more than 1,000 teens, 13 percent reported that in the last six months they have had their car taken away by their parents. Progressive Insurance (NYSE:PGR), whose companies comprise one of the country’s largest auto insurance groups, wanted to know what reasons parents are giving for taking the keys away.

THE TOP TEN REASONS TEENS LOSE THEIR WHEELS

10. Ran a red light (one percent). I swear it was yellow!
9. Smoked cigarettes in the car (two percent). The air freshener didn’t cover it up?
8. Drove after drinking (four percent) Okay, that’s just dumb.
7. Let someone else drive their car (tie, five percent). Because my pals are sooo
responsible!
7. Had an accident or hit something (tie, five percent). It was just a tap?!
6. Took the car without permission (tie, six percent). I did ask! You were asleep.
6. Drove somewhere they weren’t allowed to go (tie, six percent). Like, another state.
5. Broke curfew (tie, eight percent). I still think there should be a half hour grace period.
5. Didn’t call home (tie, eight percent). My cell phone died.
5. Didn’t wear a seat belt (tie, eight percent). Don’t want to mess up my shirt!
5. Drove with too many people in the car (tie, eight percent). What, 12 is too many?
4. Bad behavior (13 percent). You don’t even want to know.
3. Got a ticket (15 percent). And found out points are a bad thing.
2. Drove over the speed limit (tie, 16 percent). I was running late for class!

And the number one reason why the car was taken away is…

1. BAD GRADES (18 percent). “D” is for “D’oh! They took my car away!”

After reading this you may ask yourself if the punishment fits the crime. More teens are losing their car privileges over their performance in school rather than their performance on the road! Teens were more than four times more likely to have the car keys taken away for poor grades (18 percent) than for driving after drinking (four percent).

The Progressive group of insurance companies, in business since 1937, ranks third in the nation for auto insurance and provides drivers with competitive rates and 24/7, in-person service. The companies offer insurance by phone at 1-800-PROGRESSIVE, online at progressive.com and through more than 30,000 independent insurance agencies in the U.S. The Progressive Corporation, the holding company, has headquarters in Mayfield Village, Ohio. Teens can find more information about driving and insurance at teens.progressive.com.

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Editor’s note: A national online survey of more than 1,000 respondents between the ages of 14 and 18 was conducted from December13 through December 18, 2002. With a confidence level of 95 percent the survey has a margin of error within +/- 3.1 percent.