More than half of all drivers engage in dangerous behavior when they are behind the wheel, and the most common risky behavior is speeding, followed by distracted and aggressive driving. Only 4 in 10 motorists describe themselves as safe drivers.
Those are the highlights of a survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, a nonprofit research and education association, as part of its most recent annual Traffic Safety Culture Index (TSCI).
The new report, released on Thursday, identified six types of drivers based on an analysis of patterns of self-reported dangerous driving behaviors.
âDespite acknowledging the dangers, some drivers continue to engage in potentially deadly behaviors, particularly speeding,â David Yang, president and executive director of the AAA Foundation, said in a statement. âUnderstanding the different types of risky driving behaviors and the characteristics of drivers who engage in them is crucial for developing targeted interventions to achieve safe mobility.â
Nearly 2.500 licensed drivers 16 or older completed the online survey and reported having driven at least once in the 30 days prior to the survey. Researchers noted that traffic deaths remain alarmingly high and that fatal crashes involving risky behaviors like impaired driving and speeding âremain an epidemic on our roadways.â
For the survey, drivers were asked about their perceived level of danger for various driving behaviors. Most drivers, according to the report, perceived unsafe driving behaviors as very or extremely dangerous, however, as in previous surveys, many admitted to doing these behaviors at least once in the previous 30 days.
Speeding was often not perceived as dangerous, had âthe lowest perceived social disapproval of all the examined unsafe driving behaviors,â and was found to be a difficult habit to break, according to the report.
The six driver profiles identified in the report:
- Safe Drivers (41.2%) – In this group. few reported engaging in any risky driving-related behaviors, and 57% were women.
- Speeding Drivers (22.7%) – Motorists in this group reported driving 15 mph over the speed limit on freeways and/or 10 mph over on residential streets, but did not engage in most other dangerous behaviors.
- Distracted and Aggressive Drivers (17.3%) â Distracted driving behaviors (texting while driving), speeding, and aggressive behaviors, such as red-light running and switching lanes quickly, were reported by this group.
- Distracted Drivers (15.0%) â These drivers reported reading text messages and texting while driving.
- Most Dangerous Drivers (2.4%) – There were only a small percentage of the drivers in this group, but they reported engaging in all risky driving-related behaviors. As a result, they âpose a serious risk to themselves and other road users.â
- Impaired Drivers (1.3%) – Most drivers in this group live in non-metropolitan areas. Those with a 4-year college degree were far less likely to report driving while impaired, while those with some college or an associate degree were the most over-represented.
âThis study highlights a near-term and important opportunity to concentrate on enforcement that makes an immediate safety impact,â Jake Nelson, AAAâs director of traffic safety advocacy, said in a statement. âMany risky drivers in this study were classified into profiles that involved speeding behavior. Focusing on speeding drivers will deter other risky driving behaviors like impaired driving and red-light running. This traffic safety measure will have the greatest impact on safety.â
For more information and to read the full report, click here.