Study finds a disturbing pattern of risky driving behavior
A new study from AAA found 87 percent of drivers engaged in at least one type of unsafe behavior within the past 30 days, including sending and reading texts, speeding, and driving while drowsy or intoxicated.
The results were published in the AAA Foundation’s Traffic Safety Culture Index, which analyzes both behavior and attitudes about driving. While many surveyed found risky behaviors to be “unacceptable’’ they also admitted to engaging in the behavior themselves.
For example, 97 percent of drivers said it was “unacceptable’’ behavior for someone to drive if they are struggling to keep their eyes open. But one in three drivers said they have driven when they had a hard time keeping their eyes open in the past month.
Peter Kissinger, president and CEO of AAA’s Foundation for Traffic Safety, the organization’s research division, said many motorists assume they are already more responsible than other drivers and that it falls to others to improve their habits.
“There is a culture of indifference for far too many drivers when it comes to road safety,’’ said Kissinger in a statement. “The vast majority of motorists believe they are more careful than others on the road, though most of them are not making safe decisions while behind the wheel.’’
The survey looked at data submitted by 2,442 licensed drivers ages 16 and older who had driven within the previous 30 days. AAA broke down its risky behavior study into six categories.
Distracted Driving
The study found about 70 percent of drivers reported talking on a cell phone within the past 30 days. One-third of drivers described this as a common practice. Meanwhile, about 42 percent of drivers said they had read a text message or email while driving. Only 12 percent said this was common behavior.
Speeding
Almost half of all drivers reported driving over 15 mph above the speed limit on a freeway within the past 30 days, with 15 percent admitting it was a common practice.
AAA found that 45 percent of drivers report driving 10 mph above the speed limit in residential neighborhoods. About 10 percent say this is a regular activity.
Drowsy Driving
A third of surveyed drivers said they had driven while struggling to stay awake. One-fifth of those surveyed admitted they had done so more than once.
Running red lights
Nearly 40 percent of drivers said they drove through a light that had just turned red. These drivers also admitted they could have stopped safely instead. One-quarter of these drivers said this has happened more than once.
Seatbelt use
Almost one-fifth of surveyed drivers said they drove without fastening their seatbelts in the past 30 days and 15 percent said this happened more than once.
Impaired driving
AAA found 13 percent of motorists reported driving when their alcohol level was at or above the legal limit within the past year. Nine percent reported doing this more than once over the past year.
These actions have real consequences. AAA found a third of all drivers had a friend or relative who was seriously injured or killed in a crash. One in five drivers had been involved in crashes that resulted in someone being hospitalized.
“We’re asking every driver to make responsible decisions to make the roads safer for everyone,’’ said Kissinger.
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