Dangerous Driving Behaviors Proceed to Rise within the U.S. – Security
Whereas some 92% of U.S. drivers consider texting on a handheld cellular phone whereas behind the wheel could be very or extraordinarily harmful, a troubling 26% admit to doing it within the final 30 days, in line with new analysis from the AAA Basis for Site visitors Security.
Fewer drivers — particularly, 77% — perceived holding and speaking on a handheld cellular phone or utilizing a know-how that permits hands-free use of their telephones (17%) as being very or extraordinarily harmful.
Maybe that’s why a great variety of drivers have interaction in these dangerous actions. For instance, 36% reported having learn a textual content/e-mail whereas driving and 37% say they held and talked on a cellular phone whereas behind the wheel. Greater than half of the drivers — 57% — indicated having used a hands-free know-how to speak or ship texts or emails whereas driving.
Clearly, distracted driving, which killed 3,142 folks on U.S. roadways in 2020 alone, stays an actual drawback throughout the nation.
Nonetheless, the report signifies that every one dangerous driving behaviors are on the rise — not simply distraction behind the wheel.
Take into account, for instance, aggressive driving — which may imply many issues, together with tailgating or switching lanes too rapidly. Almost 23% of respondents admitted to these behaviors — that’s a 7.5% enhance over what drivers advised AAA Basis in 2020.
Rushing is one other essential drawback. Although 63% of drivers believed police would apprehend them for touring 15mph over the velocity restrict on a freeway, roughly half reported having engaged within the habits prior to now 30 days earlier than the survey.
What’s extra, many drivers don’t desire themselves or their fellow drivers to get caught! Lower than half (45%) of the respondents supported a coverage utilizing cameras to mechanically ticket drivers who drive greater than 10 mph over the velocity restrict on residential streets.
Motorists’ reactions to impaired driving point out inaccurate perceptions because it issues the consequences of hashish whereas behind the wheel.
Roughly 94% of drivers believed driving after consuming sufficient alcohol — to the purpose one considers they may be over the authorized restrict — was very or extraordinarily harmful. Solely 7% of respondents reported having engaged on this habits prior to now 30 days.
However right here’s a startling distinction regarding marijuana. Solely 65% of drivers felt driving inside an hour of utilizing marijuana to be very or extraordinarily harmful. Furthermore, 5% of respondents admitted they did so — that’s a rise of practically 14% over 2020.
Even drowsy driving stays a essential concern on the nation’s roadways. The vast majority of drivers perceived drowsy driving to be very or extraordinarily harmful (95%). Nonetheless, 19% of drivers reported having engaged within the habits prior to now 30 days.